By Nokwanda Ncwane
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has placed a nurse on precautionary suspension after she was filmed allegedly assaulting a patient at King Dinuzulu Hospital.
The video, which has been widely circulated on social media, appears to show the nurse striking the patient in the face while making inappropriate remarks.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health condemned the incident, saying the conduct shown in the video was completely unacceptable, violated the core values of the healthcare system and would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
KZN Department of Health spokesperson Nathi Olifant said the department acted decisively after becoming aware of the video.
Olifant said the nurse had been placed on precautionary suspension with immediate effect pending a full internal investigation.
“The department is investigating this specific conduct as a matter of urgency,” he said.
“Corporal punishment has no place in our facilities, and we are committed to ensuring that all patients are treated with the dignity, respect, and care they deserve.
“We assure the public that we are taking this incident seriously and will ensure that appropriate disciplinary action is taken once the investigation is concluded.”
The department said the investigation would determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and inform any further disciplinary action.
The incident is not the first reported case of violence involving patients or healthcare facilities in KwaZulu-Natal.
In 2024, a nurse at Empangeni Clinic was allegedly attacked by a female psychiatric patient.
In 2023, a 13-year-old boy was filmed being assaulted while lying in a hospital bed at Ladysmith Hospital. Two security guards were allegedly involved in the incident.
The same year, a video showing a security guard allegedly fighting with a patient on the premises of Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital was widely circulated on social media.
In 2021, a psychiatric patient at Estcourt Hospital was also recorded being beaten by a security guard.
The incidents have raised concerns about the safety and treatment of both patients and healthcare workers at public health facilities, as well as the need for appropriate security measures and accountability when allegations of violence arise.
