Everson Luhanga
Panga-wielding thugs robbed four nurses and stole drugs at Tembisa Hospital last Tuesday.
The Gauteng Department of Health confirmed the incident and said the robbers gained entry to the hospital at 2am through a fence.
Tembisa police say they are hunting for the criminals, who not only stole the nurses’ cellphones and money, but also stole drugs from Ward 17 and Ward 19.
Police spokesperson Constable Patricia Mgijima told Scrolla.Africa that the two men entered the wards and asked a nurse on duty for water.
“The nurse ushered them to the tea room where the other four nurses were having tea.
“Once in the tea room, one of the suspects produced a panga, and ordered all the nurses to comply,” she said.
The suspects demanded the key for the cabinet that contained drugs. They then proceeded to another ward where they broke a wooden cabinet and took more drugs.
Four of the nurses’ cellphones were also stolen.
“I was in serious pain for two days,” one patient told Scrolla.Africa. “We were told that there were no pain killers because of the robbery,” he said.
Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital spokesperson Noko Pela also confirmed the incident.
The men broke the palisade fence at the back of the hospital to gain access into the yard. “The hospital is in the process of completing a high-rise brick wall. The first phase of the wall has been completed. The second phase is currently in progress,” said Noko.
The matter is now being investigated by the South African Police Services.
Image source: @TembisaHospital
