By Ohenenana Teleku
Security! And Security!! And more Security!!
That is what is in dire need in public hospitals in South Africa.
Instead what is available, 24 hours a day, is insecurity, insecurity and more insecurity. Consequently health personnel in former enclave of apartheid, especially the women who are frequently raped and brutalized.
In 2010 a doctor was raped during the night shift at Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein. Quite recently a nurse was robbed near the mortuary of Union Hospera hospital.
Just last week a nurse at Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg was raped by her assailant after punching her in the face and giving her a broken nose.
Afterwards the brute tied one of her fingers with a copper wire and plugged it in a live electrical socket, and gave Bongiwe Mnguni, the unfortunate nurse, a prolonged and painful electrical shock as her post-copulation cuddle.
“After opening the third door, I felt someone grab my neck from behind. Then I heard a voice. ‘Keep quiet unless you want to die.’ I fought him until I fell down; he then began to undress me. He put a laboratory coat over my face while he was raping me.
“After raping me, he wrapped copper wire around my finger and connected it to a plug. I’ve never felt such pain in my life. I was asking God to take my soul. I lay there motionless like a dead person hoping he’d go away,” Bongiwe recounted.
She had been walking down the hospital’s corridor to the ward at 6.45pm on a Friday when she was attacked and raped. Her attacker had initially demanded money, bank cards and car keys.
“Our stock room is in an awkward and dark place. You always have to lock yourself in after opening”, Bongiwe complained.
On Tuesday the Gauteng health department released a statement condemning the violent attack, announcing that security at the hospital would be beefed up.
Obviously Bongiwe’s objective in going public with her ordeal has worked. The attack has put the spotlight on the state of security at public hospitals.
Image source: dnaindia.com