Hospital launches probe into toddler’s rape

DR GEORGE Mukhari Academic Hospital chief executive Richard Lebethe yesterday pleaded with the public to give authorities the time to investigate the alleged rape of a 2-year-old girl who was in isolation at the facility for Covid-19.

Lebethe was speaking outside the hospital where members of the EFF held a peaceful demonstration demanding answers.

He said the hospital had instituted its own investigation into the matter and appealed to the public to treat the matter as sub judice, not only for the hospital but for the family’s sake.

“Such things not only hurt the family, but also hurt the staff because the child went through many hands during her time here.

“And until such time that we directly identify the person responsible, everyone in the hospital will look like the perpetrator. As the CEO of this hospital, I am taking full responsibility for this, and anyone who has issues with what has happened can question me.”

EFF deputy secretary, Tshwane, Ntebogeng Nguni, said the party wanted to show the family of the victim solidarity, but also wanted Lebethe to provide clarity on the incident.

Nguni said rape and gender-based violence remained rampant in communities as the perpetrators clearly still felt as though they could get away with it.

“The justice system is not doing anything and it’s for this reason that criminals still feel brazen enough to commit these crimes.

“It doesn’t matter where they are, be it this hospital or outside in our communities, but perpetrators need to know that they will be held accountable and face the full might of the law.”

Social Development Department spokesperson Thabiso Hlongwane said they were dismayed that the delay in investigating the matter meant crucial DNA evidence was lost.

Hlongwane said MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi visited the family to ensure they had received the necessary psychological support.

“The MEC has called for harsh action to be taken against those responsible once they have been identified.”

According to reports, the girl was referred to the hospital on June 15 after displaying signs of struggling to breathe.

On arrival, it is alleged that staff at the hospital told the mother to go home as the child may have Covid-19 and she would need to be isolated.

However, on being discharged from the hospital the next day, the mother realised that her child was not her normal self and discovered she had been sexually assaulted.