Probe underway into male rape claims at Pretoria clinic

The Gauteng health department said it had initiated an internal investigation into the allegations, including additional claims of rape at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital.

Both cases were also being investigated by the police.

“The Stanza Bopape incident took place on Thursday, 1 October, where a male staff nurse allegedly raped a male patient,” health department spokesperson Kwara Kekana said.

The staff member has since been suspended.

“A second incident under investigation allegedly happened at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic hospital on Sunday, 27 September. It involved two mental healthcare patients, a 15-year-old male and the alleged perpetrator who is a 22- year-old male.

“Both incidents have been reported to the police. Counselling has been arranged for the affected patients,” Kekana said.

Kekana said the safety of both patients and staff was important to the department. Some of the security features such as CCTV footage, aided in the gathering of information in the investigation into the incidents.

DA health spokesperson Jack Bloom said the incidents raised questions about the adequacy of security at Gauteng public health facilities, especially for mental health patients.

“It is inexcusable that hospital security contracts, which were irregularly awarded in 2014 for two years, have been extended month-by-month for four years.

“New security contracts need to be awarded as soon as possible to competent security companies that would better protect patients and staff from all forms of violence at our public hospitals.”

About a month ago, Gauteng acting health MEC Jacob Mamabolo raised concerns about the contracts that were extended on a month-to-month basis by the department, saying it was to explore an option of insourcing services where possible.

“Some of the contracts have been due for over four years. Extending these contracts on a monthly basis for such a long time is unacceptable. The management of the department has to get this situation resolved as a matter of urgency,” said Mamabolo.

“The security contracts for our hospitals and clinics are critical in ensuring the safety of our patients and employees while the removal and management of medical waste is of paramount importance; hence, the need to get certainty around these contracts.”