UPDATE: ‘Assault’ at Mamelodi hospital explained
The father said he was 'manhandled out of the public hospital like a criminal, if not some disgusting animal'.
Health authorities have sought to explain why a father was thrown out of his son’s room in a Mamelodi hospital when he refused to leave.
“It must be noted that the casualty ward is a high activity area in any hospital and therefore there is always a need to limit the number of people inside the unit at any given time,” said health spokesperson Steve Mabona.
The father expressed outrage, saying he was assaulted for “trying to be a good father” last Thursday.
Tlotlo Thuo Ntehelang said he was “manhandled out of the public hospital like a criminal, if not some disgusting animal”.
Mabona said hospital visitors should note and honour visiting policies.
“We do not allow more than one person to be in the company of a patient in the casualty ward,” he explained.
“We call upon family members to cooperate with health professionals and security at all our facilities.”
Mabona said visiting family members should adhere to the set visiting hours meant to assist health professionals in their work and allowing patients to recuperate.
Ntehelang said all he wanted to do was play a role in raising his child and be a genuine father.
Ntehelang and his wife had taken their child to the doctor at Mamelodi hospital’s casualty unit.
Under hospital policy, a patient could only be accompanied by one individual.
Ntehelang refused to leave his wife and child alone, saying he had the same right to be present with the doctor as his wife did.
Security guards were then called in to throw him out.
“I was physically assaulted by security guards at the Mamelodi public hospital for wanting to be a full-time parent to my kid,” Ntehelang posted on his Facebook page along with a video of the assault.
The video has since gone viral.
Also read:
VIDEO: Father’s love for child gets him assaulted
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram.
- We have exciting news! We’re offering a free alert to help you always be in the loop. Send an email with the word ‘Subscribe’ to breakingnews@rekord.co.za to receive your free daily breaking news update.
