Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi says strong action must be taken against the security company at the Philadelphia hospital in Dennilton in Limpopo.
This after a 45-year-old patient allegedly attacked and killed his fellow patient in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Motsoaledi says the armed security officers from the hospital failed to contain the man.
“That security company must be suspended from this hospital with immediate effect, because what else are they capable of? They must immediately suspend them – with immediate effect. I’m in discussion with the Deputy Minister, will call on South African Police Services (SAPS) and will call PSIRA, the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority and we will call the mental health review board. I have already spoken to the chairperson of the Ministerial Committee on mental health, I have been speaking to him the whole day. They need to come and assess; we need to assess the situation.”
Minister #Motsoaledi says action must be taken against the security company at the #PhiladelphiaHospital after a substance abuse patient allegedly killed a mental health patient in their ward yesterday. He says armed security guards failed to contain the man. #SABCNEWS
— rhulani baloyi (@rhulani1baloyi) March 9, 2025
He says all private security companies at health facilities across the province have to be reviewed following this incident and the rape of two nurses at Ga-Chuene clinic in January this year.
“From there we will have to assess the security situation of the private companies that are hired in Limpopo. Because you remember very recently, there’s a nurse, two nurses, who have been raped. Which security companies there, and it’s not very clear, what was the role of security, so we can’t keep on allowing this to happen. But the most recent one is very, very bizarre, to say the least.”
Police Spokesperson, Hlulani Mashaba says they are investigating a case of murder and two of attempted murder.
“Police officers swiftly responded to a report of an assault at the hospital. Upon arrival, they discovered a gruesome crime scene inside a locked room. A male suspect was found on top of a lifeless male body, covered in blood, and allegedly biting the deceased’s genitals. The deceased (33) sustained a gunshot wound on the head, along with multiple injuries, including missing teeth. The suspect also suffered gunshot wounds on both legs, allegedly inflicted by a security officer who was attempting to diffuse the situation.”
Philadelphia Hospital Incident I Murder-accused a substance abuse patient
Mashaba says a security officer has also sustained injuries stemming from the incident.
“A security guard sustained a gunshot wound on the thigh, reportedly caused by a ricochet bullet fired by his colleague during the incident. Several spent cartridges were recovered at the scene. The suspect has been formally arrested for murder.”
#sapsLIM The police in Limpopo are investigating a shocking case of murder and attempted murder that occurredon 08/03 inside the psychiatric ward of Philadelphia Hospital in Dennilton, Sekhukhune District. Police discovered a male suspect on top of a lifeless male body. The… pic.twitter.com/Wt95GjcIH5
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) March 9, 2025
