A mentally ill patient, between the age of 35 and 40, has fled Tonga Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

He was admitted last month by Komatipoort Police. Before he was caught, the patient was supposedly spotted by police in the Komatipoort area, acting violently towards people and throwing stones at vehicles passing by.

Upon admission, the patient was treated and stabilised. The patient was scheduled to be discharged on August 26, 2016 after his condition improved; however, his discharge was put on hold as he is not a South African citizen.

The Department of Health decided to keep him at the hospital until his next of kin could be located. The department also started arranging for the patient to be deported back to Mozambique.

It has since alerted local police about the abscondment. The department also requests the assistance of the community to locate the patient. The patient escaped while wearing hospital clothes. He speaks Portuguese and a little bit of Shangaan.

Anyone who spots him must alert the local police. They can also notify the Tonga Hospital by dialing 013-780-9000.