Health workers down tools after Mpumalanga hospital attack
Operations at Barberton District Hospital in Mpumalanga have been disrupted after a group of armed intruders stormed the facility during a night shift over the weekend, prompting some health workers to down tools in protest over safety concerns.
The Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison confirmed the incident on Monday, saying steps had since been taken to bolster security at the hospital.
Spokesperson Moeti Mmusi told SABC News that the attack took place on Saturday night, when criminals threatened nurses and doctors.
"The police have also implemented various law enforcement initiatives to try and rein in on the area as far as criminality is concerned."
He confirmed that due to a limited number of security personnel on duty during the night shift, the suspects were able to gain access to the hospital without resistance.
"These people stormed into the hospital, and then we only had a limited number of guards per shift. Hence, a decision was then taken to deploy additional guards, armed response with a vehicle, to try and beef up the situation until normality returns."
Mmusi says police are still searching for the suspects and are calling on the community to come forward with any information that may assist the investigation.
"We are relying on the community or members of the public who may have information to assist the police to crack this case and ensure that the perpetrators are urgently brought to book."
In the wake of the incident, the provincial government is also looking into long-term improvements to security infrastructure at healthcare facilities.
"We are looking at ways in which we can beef up security, even if it means improving infrastructure, putting up things like cameras, and using technology to modernise the way we monitor our various sites," said Mmusi.
He added that the government had recently implemented a new security contract, and that budget allocations would soon allow for further improvements.
"We hold regular security quarterly meetings where we discuss challenges at various sites. Discussions are ongoing. We have not spoken to timelines, but the intention of the provincial government is to have normality return to the hospital as soon as possible."
In the meantime, four additional security guards and an armed response team remain stationed at Barberton Hospital, while police continue to monitor the situation.
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