Justice for senior tied to bench at hospital
THE case of Martha Marais, the elderly woman found lying on the floor chained to a bench at Mamelodi Day Hospital, has finally been put to rest.
Yesterday, the Department of Health announced on a visit to the Marais residence that it had reached an out-of-court settlement with the family of the 76-year-old who was tied to a bench by hospital staff.
Health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku would not disclose the exact amount of the settlement. “Due to confidentiality requirements of the mediation, the parties to the matter will not disclose the terms of settlement. Both parties believe that the settlement is comprehensive and fair enough as it includes redress and improvements of our protocols at facility level,” said Masuku.
The mediation process was facilitated by retired Judge Neels Claassen of the South African Medico Legal Association.
Masuku said: “We have learnt that mediation works because it is less acrimonious, cheaper, faster and constructive.”
A video clip of the pensioner, who was tied to a steel bench at Mamelodi Hospital in May last year, caused outrage after going viral on social media.
She lay on the floor while cuffed for more than eight hours.
But yesterday she looked upbeat and in jolly spirits. Clad in a striped dress, she was all smiles after meeting Masuku to discuss the settlement.
Family spokesperson Virgina Keppler said Marais was getting stronger each day due to the counselling she was receiving at Steve Biko Academic Hospital. “The Marais family is pleased with the settlement,” she said.