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The Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberley.
- A man was shot and killed in his hospital bed in Kimberley by a group dressed in PPE.
- The group also stole cell phones from patients at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital.
- Health MEC Maruping Lekwene was shocked by the murder, but Nehawu said he had previously sounded the alarm on hospital security.
Four people wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) reportedly shot dead a patient at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberley.
Police spokesman Colonel Mashay Gamieldien alleged that the patient was shot and killed at 3:50 on Friday.
The gang also stole cell phones from patients in the ward and unplugged the phone at the nurses station before fleeing.
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The incident shocked the provincial health department and staff.
“This is a brutal and unprecedented attack that has occurred at one of our health facilities,” Health MEC Maruping Lekwene said in a statement.
Lekwene alleged that the patient had been transferred from the intensive care unit after receiving treatment for gunshot wounds, before being killed in his hospital bed.
“We do not expect such crimes to be committed in facilities that aim to cure the sick.”
He said that although public hospitals, by their nature, were not high security facilities, the community and staff could be assured of their safety.
He expressed his condolences to the deceased, whose identity was not disclosed.
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But Moleme Moleme, regional secretary of the Frances Baard chapter of the National Union of Education, Health and Allied Workers (Nehawu), told News24 that authorities had already been warned about the safety of the hospital.
Is not safe
“Our workers are not safe in their workspace,” he said. “This is not the first time we have had an incident.”
Moleme said the union had also signaled its dissatisfaction that the security guards at that hospital were not directly employed by the facility.
“Now with outsourced security, no one is responsible for the shooting,” he said.
The union hoped to secure a meeting with the MEC and the department head to discuss its concerns.
Gamieldien said police put in place their 72-hour action plan to maximize resources in the search for the four attackers.
Anyone with information was asked to contact 082 3020 407 or provide it through the MYSAPS app confidentially.
