Nurses Abducted and Assaulted During Night Shift at Limpopo Clinic

Two nurses working the night shift at Ga-Chuene Clinic near Polokwane, Limpopo, were abducted and sexually assaulted in a shocking incident. The attack took place after midnight when an armed assailant overpowered the clinic’s security and forced the nurses to leave with him.

The nurses returned to the clinic in the early hours of the morning and reported the ordeal. They are now receiving psychological support. Limpopo Health MEC, Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, condemned the incident, calling it a “barbaric act” that undermines efforts to provide 24-hour healthcare services.

This incident highlights ongoing safety concerns for healthcare workers, especially in rural areas with inadequate security. Similar tragedies have occurred in the past. In 2023, a nurse walking to Madumane Clinic was raped and robbed after being left in a vulnerable position by a taxi driver.

The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) has urged the government to improve security at healthcare facilities and ensure safer transportation options for night-shift staff. They have also called on communities to help protect healthcare workers and assist in apprehending perpetrators.

The Limpopo Department of Health is working with law enforcement to investigate the incident and emphasized the importance of community involvement in safeguarding medical personnel.

As the investigation continues, there is an urgent need for stronger security measures to protect healthcare workers and ensure they can perform their duties safely.