THE Limpopo man who died as a result of being strangled by a psychiatric patient at WF Knobel Hospital will be buried at the cost of the provincial department of health.

The department has made an undertaking to bury Elias Makololo, of GaRapitsi village in Moletji outside Polokwane, at its cost.

Makololo, 65, died on Wednesday last week after he was allegedly strangled by amentally-challenged patient who became aggressive while being admitted at the institution.

Departmental spokeswoman Sinenhlanhla Gumede confirmed yesterday that Makololo would be buried at their cost.

"As a caring department we have resolved to bury the patient who died," Gumede said.

She said they had taken the decision mindful of the fact the patient had died while in the care of the department.

The 34-year-old mentally challenged patient from Kgomo School village in GaMatlala had also chased nurses away, and one of them jumped through a window to get away.

It was at around midnight when the nurse, who had gone to seek help returned with a doctor and some of the hospital's staff to find the psychiatric patient throttling the pensioner. He also allegedly bit the victim several times on his stomach.

The pensioner died on the spot, apparently as a result of being strangled.

Gumede said this was the first time that the hospital had agreed to cover the costs of a patient's burial.

Gumede said the decision had been based on the needs of the family.

"MEC Norman Mabasa visited the family to assess the situation himself and he saw a need to assist with funeral costs. The gesture was only out of ubuntu," she said. - frankm@sowetan.co.za