Deadly attack in hospital ward
Bhekuyise Langa (68) was apparently attacked and strangled by a 51-year-old man at 11:50pm
CONFUSION continues to surround the death of a patient who was attacked and killed by another at Ngwelezana Hospital on Sunday evening.
Bhekuyise Langa (68) was apparently attacked and strangled by a 51-year-old man at 11:50pm.
Nurses and other hospital staff heard a commotion and hysterical cries, and when they rushed to the scene they apparently found the attacker punching Langa.
‘It was shocking to see. Security guards also rushed into the ward to separate them.
‘Nurses and doctors came in and tried to revive the victim, but it was too late,’ an eyewitness and patient told the Zululand Observer.
Just after midnight, Langa had succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
He had been admitted to hospital for a chest infection and was sedated and in isolation.
The attacker was arrested on Monday and a case opened.
He is still in hospital, but in seclusion and under police guard.
Other patients said the attacker had escaped from the psychiatric ward.
The KZN Department of Health said an investigation into the circumstances of the incident was under way.
‘We are investigating this occurrence as a matter of urgency in order to establish whether the incident could not have been prevented.
‘We will work very closely with the police as well as the family of the deceased in handling this matter going forward,’ said Provincial Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu.
Trauma counselling has also been arranged for those exposed to the incident.
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