×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Limpopo pensioner recovering after allegedly being beaten up by two nurses

BEATEN UP: Granny Mthavini Hlamazi Rikhotso, 89, is still nursing her wounds at home after she was allegedly assaulted by two nurses at the Letaba Hospital in NkowaNkowa last month. Photo: SANDILE NDLOVU
BEATEN UP: Granny Mthavini Hlamazi Rikhotso, 89, is still nursing her wounds at home after she was allegedly assaulted by two nurses at the Letaba Hospital in NkowaNkowa last month. Photo: SANDILE NDLOVU

A Limpopo pensioner, 89, is nursing injuries after she was allegedly beaten up by two nurses at a hospital.

The granny was allegedly assaulted last month for refusing to move from one bed to another.

The family of Mthavini Hlamazi Rikhotso told Sowetan they were worried no action would be taken against her attackers at the Letaba Hospital in NkowaNkowa, near Tzaneen.

Her granddaughter, Bridgette Ngobeni, 30, said she had confronted the hospital management about her granny's ordeal but had sensed that the perpetrators were being protected.

"I had no other option but to call the helpline at the provincial department of health to get assistance because my grandmother is in serious pain," said Ngobeni.

Rikhotso, who is still recovering from the injuries at her home village of Nkambako outside Letsitele, has opened a case of assault .

She said that on January 2, two nurses took turns assaulting her with a broomstick. She had been admitted to the hospital on New Year's Eve for high blood pressure.

"I was sleeping on the bed when two nurses at the hospital approached [me] to tell me to move from one bed to another. As I questioned why I was being moved, they started attacking me with a broomstick," she said.

She said one of the nurses also gave her a "warm klap", which has affected her hearing.

"I sustained multiple injuries on my back and doctors have also indicated I suffered internal bleeding. I'm still undergoing treatment [from] private doctors."

She said although she did not have the nurses' names, she could identify them.

Tzaneen police cluster spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe confirmed that a case of assault was being investigated.

"The difficulty is that the victim does not know her attackers, but we are still obtaining statements, working hand-in-hand with the hospital authorities," he said.

"We will also conduct an ID parade at a later stage."

Limpopo MEC for health Dr Phophi Ramathuba expressed disappointment at the incident. "If indeed our nurses were involved in the assault of a patient at our hospital, they must be dealt with harshly," she said.

She said the provincial health department was awaiting a report from the hospital before taking action.

It has not only been nurses attacking patients. Sowetan reported last August that two nurses and a security guard were assaulted by relatives of a patient in full view of patients in ward 20 at Tembisa Hospital after they had not treated her well.

frankm@sowetan.co.za

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.