01 October 2023

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has instituted an urgent investigation into an incident in which a 13 year-old boy was filmed while being assaulted from his hospital bed, allegedly by two security guards at Ladysmith Hospital.

The Department can, in the meantime, confirm that the two security guards have been immediately dismissed by their employer, who is contracted to provide security services at the hospital. The department has also instituted an internal disciplinary process against the nursing staff implicated in the matter.

It is believed that the incident took place on Thursday evening, and was brought to the attention of hospital management on Friday.

The security company implicated in the matter was immediately informed about the incident, and immediately took action against the employees.

The patient, who suffers from a disability and was a resident of a place of shelter before admission to Ladysmith Hospital, and has since been moved to another healthcare facility in Durban.

Departmental spokesperson Ntokozo Maphisa said: "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 well-being of our patients is our priority, and that their abuse under any circumstances, and in any way, shape or form, will not be accepted.

"We can confirm that the matter has been reported to the police, and to 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."

Issued by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health