Four arrested after attack on staff at Mpumalanga hospital

Four people have been arrested in connection with an attack on staff and patients at the Carolina Hospital in Mpumalanga last week, police said on Friday.

Brig Selvy Mohlala said the four are aged between 17 and 21. They were arrested by the province's anti-gang unit. 

“In the early hours of Saturday June 17, Carolina Hospital was reportedly attacked by a group of suspects who stormed into the premises and attacked the staff members. Some of them were assaulted and robbed of their personal items, including cellphones.

“The group reportedly then vandalised hospital properties, leaving behind a trail of destruction,” Mohlala said.

“According to information, the outrageous behaviour occurred after a man was brought into hospital but later succumbed to gunshot wounds. After this sad news reached people who brought him in for medical treatment, all hell broke loose as they went on a rampage and caused havoc.”

He said a police team had been established to trace the suspects.

“When the suspects were arrested, the members recovered a mobile phone believed to have been stolen during the robbery.”  

The group is scheduled to appear in the Carolina magistrate's court on Monday.  

They face charges of malicious damage to property, business robbery and possession of suspected stolen property.

Provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Semakaleng Daphney Manamela said no stone would be left unturned to find the perpetrators, adding such behaviour would not be tolerated. 

“We cannot allow that our health facilities and workers have to work in fear of lawless individuals who parade themselves as gangsters instilling fear among the communities. That will have to stop and it will never be allowed as long as we as the police are here,” she said.

“We will not rest until we bring each of them to justice, like we did with these four suspects.” 

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