Media statement
Wednesday, 09 February 2022
JOHANNESBURG – The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) in Gauteng condemns in the strongest terms the fatal shooting of a nurse at Tembisa Hospital this morning by an on-duty police officer, and hopes the Department will now henceforth reconsider allowing armed police officers to enter healthcare facilities unless it is under extraordinary circumstances.
An on-duty police officer on a state vehicle with blue lights entered the facility just after 08h00 this morning where he parked at the facility’s Accident and Emergency Department’s parking lot, where he called his partner, a 30-year nurse at the facility. Upon her arrival to her partner, the police officer opened fire on the nurse, killing her instantly. He then turned the gun on himself, and is in critical condition in hospital.
DENOSA calls on law enforcement agencies to ensure that, if he recovers, the police officer faces the full might of the law for the killing of the nurse and for abusing the privilege that is extended to officers of the law to enter healthcare facilities with their guns.
DENOSA provincial and regional leaders are at the facility where they had just briefed the staff. DENOSA is thankful that the facility is already organizing counselling for the staff members and patients who witnessed this unfortunate and regrettable incident.
This incident has highlighted the need to reconsider allowing officers of the law to enter facilities with guns, and the need to have gun storage in healthcare facilities by security unless they are escorting a dangerous patient or a convict.
DENOSA wishes great strength to all healthcare workers and patients at the facility.
End.
Issued by the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) in Gauteng.
For more information, contact:
Simphiwe Gada, DENOSA Gauteng Provincial Chairperson.
Mobile: 072 563 1923
Bongani Mazibuko, DENOSA Gauteng Provincial Secretary.
Mobile: 071 686 9544