×

We've got news for you.

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

Teen to go under mental evaluation after 'killing' a patient

The teen stabbed the two patients at Bheki Mlangeni Hospital
The teen stabbed the two patients at Bheki Mlangeni Hospital
Image: Kabelo Mokoena

The 17-year-old boy who allegedly stabbed and killed Edwin Zazayokwe at Bheki Mlangeni District Hospital will undergo criminal and psychological assessment before his matter can continue.

The teen appeared in the Protea magistrate’s court on Monday on charges of murder and attempted murder after he attacked two elderly men at the Soweto hospital in Friday. He allegedly stabbed Zazayokwe multiple times in his chest with a sharp object. He also attacked a 75-year-old patient and left him injured.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the teen is being kept in a place of safety until his next court appearance next Monday.

“The matter was remanded for a psychological and criminal capacity assessment to be conducted,” Mjonondwane said. The teen allegedly attacked the pair of elderly men just a day after he allegedly slapped them in the medical ward and nothing was done about it, a nurse at the hospital revealed.

Department spokesperson Kwara Kekana said the youngster was diagnosed with new onset psychosis."

He was admitted in the medical ward to clear any other medical conditions," Kekana said. Zazayokwe was admitted on April 7 after his blood pressure shot up, causing additional health complications. Zazayokwe's daughter Vuyelwa yesterday told Sowetan that she and her family were left horrified and shocked after being informed about the attack."

On Wednesday, the doctor told us that they had done everything they could for him and there was nothing else they could do [his health was deteriorating]. So, when we got a call from the hospital two days later, we knew that he could be dead," Vuyelwa said.

"What we didn't know was that he was killed. We are hurt because the hospital was aware that patient [teen] was violent.

"The investigating officer told us that he attacked my father and another patient a day before he stabbed him."

Vuyelwa questioned why a psychiatric patient was placed in a ward with her father and how he was able to get hold of a sharp object.

"Where were the nurses and security guards? Why did they not fasten him when they knew that he was not a normal patient? Why was there no monitoring? We have so many questions about what happened and the hospital and the department need to explain what happened," she said.

The family is also blaming the provincial department of health for failing to keep patients safe. Kekana said it was unclear how the patient was able to get hold of a sharp object inside the hospital.

"The suspect was discharged [on Friday] and was waiting to be fetched by a family member, he was subsequently arrested after the attack. Both families and staff were referred for counselling. The injured patient is receiving treatment," Kekana said.

Police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said although the suspect was expected to appear in court today, he would need to undergo a psychiatric evaluation as he did not seem to be of sound mind. A nurse who was on duty when the incident occurred said they were alarmed when they heard screams emanating from the medical ward.

"We don't know what led to the attack, but that boy was violent. He attacked the two old men on Thursday by slapping them around," he said.

"The hospital started admitting psychiatric patients during the period of the Life Esidimeni debacle. It was not built for psych patients and can't accommodate them.

"We do not have the proper medication for them, the staff is not trained for them and sometimes things get out of hand because they [psych patients] can get violent. We do not know how to handle the situation."

DA MPL Jack Bloom said there was no excuse why the psychiatric patient was admitted into a general ward and that the hospital's management needed to be held accountable.

"The problems with Bheki Mlangeni have been there before. The hospital does not have a special ward for psychiatric patients which would guarantee their safety and the safety of other patients and the staff," he said.

The hospital has been in the spotlight following the deaths of patients who were not being monitored.

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.