Ladysmith Hospital is facing intense scrutiny after a distressing video emerged, capturing a 13 year old boy being assaulted while lying in his hospital bed.
On Sunday, 1 October 2023, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health stated that an urgent investigation had been initiated following the release of footage showing two security guards physically assaulting the teenage boy.
Video sourced from Twitter handle: Man’s not Barry Roux
During the ongoing investigations, the Department has confirmed the immediate dismissal of the two security guards by their employer, contracted to provide security services at the hospital. Moreover, the Department has initiated an internal disciplinary process against the nursing staff involved in the incident.
The incident is believed to have occurred on Thursday evening, 28 September 2023, and was reported to hospital management on Friday, 29 September 2023.
“The security company implicated in the matter was immediately informed about the incident, and immediately took action against the employees,” stated the Department of Health.
The patient, already grappling with a disability and formerly residing in a shelter, was swiftly relocated to another healthcare facility in Durban.
Ntokozo Maphisa, spokesperson for the Department, expressed deep concern, stating, “As a Department, we are shocked and appalled by this incident. Our Hon. MEC Ms Nomagugu Simelane has made it clear that the safety and wellbeing of our patients is our priority, and that their abuse under any circumstances, and in any way, shape, or form, will not be accepted.”
Furthermore, the Department confirmed that the matter has been reported to the police and the Department of Social Development.
“We can also confirm that a disciplinary process is underway into this matter. This process will look into, among others, where the nurses were when the incident took place; who called the security guards; and why the patient was assaulted,” concluded Maphisa.
We invite readers to share their thoughts and opinions on this incident in the comment section below.
One Response
To say the very least the nursing staff as well as the security guards are nothing but criminals, who are obviously the kind who think abuse of any kind is acceptable, turn the tables on the abusers and let them be smacked around see how they will feel, not the security guards or the nursing staff are worth the uniforms they wear. Dismiss the nursing staff without compensation they are not worth our tax money which contributes to their salaries!!!!!!
Name and shame them!!!!! If other public servants can be published in the media when they have done wrong( ref to the incident on N11 when the SAPS members got brutal with criminals why can’t these so called nurses be named) or is it because criminals were treated badly so the SAPS members had to be named. What makes this incident different an innocent child was abused by hearless people.