MEC Meth condemns alleged rape of Matatiele patient
The Eastern Cape MEC for Health, Nomakhosazana Meth, has condemned the alleged rape of a patient at Tayler Bequest Hospital in Matatiele, allegedly by a male enrolled nursing assistant.
Siyabonga Dywili, a male nurse at Taylor Bequest is alleged to have raped a patient at the hospital toilet a week ago.
Health Spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo “The incident is alleged to have happened at an ablution facility on September 26 at about 8.40pm. Immediately after the alleged rape was reported to hospital management on September 27, the police were called, and the alleged victim was taken to the Thuthuzela Care Centre where a specimen was taken for forensic investigation.”
MEC condemned the incident and said health facilities are supposed to be safe spaces for women.
“We are shocked by this alleged incident. Although this is now a criminal matter, the department has launched its own internal investigation because we take gender-based violence seriously.
“It cannot be correct that women, who go to our facilities in order to heal, are allegedly raped, even worse allegedly by those who are supposed to nurse them back to health.
“We condemn this in the strongest terms possible. We will not preempt the outcome of both the internal investigation and the criminal case. The law must now take its course,” she said.
The alleged victim and an alleged witness were offered counselling with the alleged incident reported to the woman’s family on September 28.
Dywili has since been served with a letter of suspension and is expected to return to Matatiele Court today.
No tags for this post.
