Hospital stabbing

Man attacks woman carrying newborn at Komani facility

The victim has since been transferred to a hospital in East London.

The department regrets the incident and will convene an urgent meeting between the private security provider, internal security services, contracts management and hospital authorities,

A30-year-old woman, carrying her newborn baby, was reportedly attacked at Frontier Hospital last Thursday.

According to a hospital staff member who spoke to The Rep on condition of anonymity, the woman was discharged after giving birth and was leaving the premises when she was attacked.

The woman was still on the hospital premises when the man, who the victim claims is unknown to her, approached her and stabbed her.

Department of health provincial spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said they had reported the gross adverse event to the police, adding that an urgent meeting to discuss the incident was scheduled to take place.

“Security of our staff and patients is paramount to us, hence the presence of outsourced security services in all health facilities. The department regrets the incident and will convene an urgent meeting between the private security provider, internal security services, contracts management and hospital authorities,” said Kupelo.

Responding to questions sent by The Rep, police spokesperson Const Sibongile Soci said Komani detectives were investigating a case of assault with gross bodily harm.

Soci said a 35-year-old suspect had handed himself over to the police on the day of the incident.

“The suspect was released on warning. The statement from the victim is yet to be obtained as she has since been transferred to a hospital in East London.

“The medical condition of the victim was assessed and it would not have been in the best interests to obtain a statement from her in the condition she was in at the time, Soci said, adding that the motive for the attack was being investigated.