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Eastern Cape Health MEC, Nomokosazana Meth, said she was shocked to learn of the arrest of an “enrolled male nursing assistant” for the alleged rape of a patient.
The Department said the alleged incident occurred in an ablution facility at the Tayler Bequest Hospital in Matatiele on 26 September.
The suspect appeared in court on Friday and the matter was postponed to 4 October.
Eastern Cape Health Department spokesperson, Mkhululi Ndamase, said the nurse, who cannot yet be identified, was served with a letter of suspension.
He said the incident is alleged to have happened at an ablution facility on September 26 at about 8.40 pm.
“Immediately after the alleged rape was reported to hospital management on September 27, the police were called and the alleged victim was taken to the Thuthuzela Care Centre where a specimen was taken for forensic investigation,” he said.
Condemning the alleged rape, the MEC said health facilities are supposed to be safe spaces for women.
“We are shocked by this alleged incident. Although this is now a criminal matter, the department has launched its own internal investigation because we take gender-based violence seriously,” she said in a statement on Monday.
“It cannot be correct that women, who go to our facilities in order to heal, are allegedly raped, even worse allegedly by those who are supposed to nurse them back to health. The law must now take its course,” MEC Meth said.
The Department said the patient and a witness were offered counselling.
