Following rape allegations made against him by a female patient on Thursday, December 8 at Mount Ayliff Hospital, the Eastern Cape department of health has suspended a 39-year-old male clinical associate.
According to a statement from the department, it is alleged that the clinical associate shut the consulting room door during a session and sexually assaulted the 24-year-old woman while nurses were attempting to open it.
The department stated that given the gravity of the claims, they had decided to respond appropriately with immediate effect.
According to reports, the victim is a well-known patient who receives care at Mount Ayliff Hospital.
According to the department, when the incident was reported, the hospital and district management acted quickly to support the patient and adhere to all the necessary medical protocols. In order to report the occurrence, the management also contacted the South African Police Services.
This incident happened during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. A worldwide initiative to stop the terror of gender-based violence against the most vulnerable members of society, including women, children, and LGBTQIA+ people. The government calls for the prevention and elimination of gender-based violence in our country throughout the 16 days beginning on November 25 and ending on December 10.
The victim and her family have reportedly received psychiatric support as a part of the restitution process, according to the department.
The Eastern Cape’s MEC for Health, Nomakhosazana Meth, denounced these allegations. “It is even more serious when such incidents are alleged to have occurred within our facilities where patients entrust our officials with their health and confidentiality.”
The MEC also instructed the HOD to launch an immediate internal probe regarding the claims.
The department condemned the incident and vowed to support law enforcement authorities through the investigation and resolution of the case.
Ubomi ejele kutata owadlwengula unyana wakhe ona-8