Police in Limpopo have launched an extensive manhunt after two nurses were taken from their workplace at Chuene Clinic in the early hours of Friday morning. The nurses, who were on night duty, were abducted and subjected to a traumatic experience by an armed individual. The incident has left both the victims and the community shaken.
Limpopo’s MEC for Health, Dieketseng Mashego, expressed her deep shock and concern over the event, calling it a “deplorable incident” and highlighting its impact on the province’s healthcare system. Mashego voiced her sadness over how this event represents a setback to ongoing efforts to ensure clinics operate 24 hours a day to serve the community.
“This incident is a serious setback to our department’s efforts to ensure that clinics can function around the clock,” Mashego said. “My heart goes out to the two nurses who have experienced immense physical and psychological trauma. How can we convince our healthcare staff to work night shifts to care for the community if the same community turns against them in this way?”
The two nurses were taken from the clinic at approximately 1am and were returned to the area around 5am, after several hours of distress. In the aftermath, the Limpopo Department of Health has arranged for psychological support for the victims, acknowledging the emotional toll the experience has caused.
Mashego appealed directly to the local community, urging residents to come forward with any information that could assist the authorities in locating the individual responsible. “This incident is not just an attack on our clinic; it is an affront to the very fabric of our community,” she said. “The individuals responsible for this crime are not strangers; they may be living among us. As community members, we must know something.”
The MEC emphasized the importance of collective action in bringing justice for the victims and ensuring the safety of healthcare workers in the future. “I urge every member of our community to rise up and assist the police in their investigation,” she added. “We must come together, share any information, and support law enforcement in their relentless pursuit of justice. The safety of our community and the wellbeing of our healthcare workers depend on our collective action.”
As the police continue their investigation, the Department of Health remains resolute in its commitment to working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that the perpetrator is found and brought to justice. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need to protect those who dedicate their lives to caring for others, especially in vulnerable and high-risk environments like healthcare facilities.
