KWAZULU-NATAL police have found the nurse who was kidnapped yesterday on her way home from work at KwaDukuza Hospital, allegedly by striking public service workers.
"The nurse was found at about 1.30pm. We have not spoken to her, but we know she is in good health," police spokesperson Colonel Jay Naicker said.
"At this stage we cannot say were she was found," he said. Police would not release details, including the nurse's name, for fear of jeopardising the case.
Naicker said the nurse had phoned the matron on duty at 6.30am yesterday about her ordeal.
Provincial department of health spokesperson Chris Maxon had reacted with shock at the initial news.
"The department of health received with shock and alarm the news that a nurse was abducted early yesterday morning on her way from work."
Maxon said at the time of shift change the nursing manager had received a phone call from a person who identified herself as a nurse who had been sent to KwaDukuza Hospital by an agency contracted to provide nursing personnel during the strike.
The nurse reported that she had "been abducted by strikers" and did not know where she was.
"She indicated that the strikers had demanded she calls the hospital to inform management to shut down the hospital and release all the workers who were on the premises, failing which they would kill her. Thereafter the call got cut," Maxon said.
"It is with regret that abductions, intimidation and assaults have come to characterise this strike," said MEC for health Sibongiseni Dhlomo.
"Delivering healthcare is giving life to the letter and spirit of the Constitution.
"It also imposes three types of obligations on all of us, namely respect, protect and fulfill."
He said they had received reports that in Ladysmith people who worked at the weekend had found their homes stoned and windows smashed.
Since an interdict was given against strikers, 123 people were arrested and 89 intimidation cases lodged.
Abducted nurse found
KWAZULU-NATAL police have found the nurse who was kidnapped yesterday on her way home from work at KwaDukuza Hospital, allegedly by striking public service workers.
"The nurse was found at about 1.30pm. We have not spoken to her, but we know she is in good health," police spokesperson Colonel Jay Naicker said.
"At this stage we cannot say were she was found," he said. Police would not release details, including the nurse's name, for fear of jeopardising the case.
Naicker said the nurse had phoned the matron on duty at 6.30am yesterday about her ordeal.
Provincial department of health spokesperson Chris Maxon had reacted with shock at the initial news.
"The department of health received with shock and alarm the news that a nurse was abducted early yesterday morning on her way from work."
Maxon said at the time of shift change the nursing manager had received a phone call from a person who identified herself as a nurse who had been sent to KwaDukuza Hospital by an agency contracted to provide nursing personnel during the strike.
The nurse reported that she had "been abducted by strikers" and did not know where she was.
"She indicated that the strikers had demanded she calls the hospital to inform management to shut down the hospital and release all the workers who were on the premises, failing which they would kill her. Thereafter the call got cut," Maxon said.
"It is with regret that abductions, intimidation and assaults have come to characterise this strike," said MEC for health Sibongiseni Dhlomo.
"Delivering healthcare is giving life to the letter and spirit of the Constitution.
"It also imposes three types of obligations on all of us, namely respect, protect and fulfill."
He said they had received reports that in Ladysmith people who worked at the weekend had found their homes stoned and windows smashed.
Since an interdict was given against strikers, 123 people were arrested and 89 intimidation cases lodged.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos