Heads must roll following attack on patient at Ladysmith Hospital

3 October 2023

The IFP, as the Official Opposition in the KZN Legislature, says heads must roll following the attack on a patient at Ladysmith Hospital.

In a video that has gone viral on social media, security guards were caught assaulting a 13-year-old boy.

This is yet another indication that some people have lost the spirit of Ubuntu.

Heads must roll, as reports suggest that nursing staff were allegedly involved in the abuse. We want to know who called the security guards? Why was the patient attacked?

The KZN MEC for Health, Nomagugu Simelane, must tell us whether the nurses have been suspended or if any action has been taken against them. This case must be thoroughly investigated, and anyone found guilty must be prosecuted and fired. We cannot tolerate such behaviour in our hospitals.

A slew of double standards protects nurses’ jobs but leaves patients vulnerable. Nurses have taken an oath and if they do not live by that code then they must be exposed, and stern action must be taken against them.

We encourage nurses to embrace their work with pride and professional excellence. Nurses should have an attitude that displays their compassion and commitment to their patients.

Lastly, we demand that there must be a thorough vetting – including background checks - of all security guards employed to provide security services in hospitals.

Issued by Ncamisile Nkwanyana, IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Health, 3 October 2023