Frank Maponya

Frank Maponya

Threats on the lives of nurses at Sekororo Hospital near Tzaneen continue despite an assurance by the provincial department of health and social development that they would tighten security.

A senior nurse was raped last Monday and another nurse escaped with minor injuries to her head after a tuss le with a suspect who was trying to enter her room on the same premises.

Attempts were also made on Thursday and Friday to enter the houses of hospital officials . But the suspects fled empty handed after the officials screamed for help.

A nurse who spoke to Sowetan on condition of anonymity said it was becoming increasingly dangerous for them to stay in those residences without anyone guarding them.

"The situation at those residences is very bad," she said.

She said the department had put a moratorium barring those who wanted to be transferred to other hospitals from doing so.

"Had it not been for the moratorium, I believe everybody staying in those residences would have gone by now.

"We are forced to remain in the residences despite the fact that we are unsettled," she said.

The spokesman for the department, Phuti Seloba, said yesterday a security company had been appointed and would commence its duties on Friday.