…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) in Limpopo has condemned the brutal assault, kidnapping, robbing, and raping of a newly-employed nurse at Madumane Clinic in Greater Tzaneen.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, 11 April, when the nurse was on her way back to the clinic by taxi after hours.
Nurse Allegedly Raped and Attacked in Limpopo
According to DENOSA, the nurse requested the taxi driver to drop her closer to the clinic due to the darkness.
The driver refused, and a fellow passenger, a man, offered to accompany her as he stayed in the area.
The man later convinced the nurse to take a shortcut, which led her into a dark spot where he raped her, assaulted her, and took her belongings.
The nurse was left with a broken leg and had to drag herself out to seek help from the community.
Calls for Support and Action
DENOSA has called on the Department of Health to ensure that the affected nurse receives necessary psychological counseling after being discharged from the hospital.
The organization has also urged the South African Police Services (SAPS) to expedite its investigation and apprehend the perpetrator before more nurses leave the clinic for safer areas.
Communities Urged to Fight Crime
DENOSA has called on community members to protect the image of their communities and prevent incidents like this from happening in the future.
The organization emphasized that such attacks on nurses deprive communities of essential healthcare services and urged that the affected nurse not be lost to the system.
Commentary:
The violent attack on a nurse highlights the need for urgent action to protect healthcare workers and prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
Nurses and other healthcare workers play a vital role in society, and such attacks not only harm them but also impact the communities they serve.
DENOSA’s calls for support and action from the Department of Health and SAPS are crucial to ensure justice for the affected nurse and prevent future attacks.
Communities must also take a stand against crime and work towards creating safer environments for healthcare workers and citizens alike.
The healthcare system’s ability to provide essential services must not be compromised by violence and criminal activity.