Parliament, Tuesday, 10 May 2022 – The Portfolio Committee on Health conducted an oversight visit yesterday to the New Somerset Hospital in Cape Town following an incident last weekend in which two patients and a police officer were killed at the hospital.
The committee members said they were shocked to hear the details of the events that occurred on Saturday night. During the oversight, the committee met with the Acting CEO of the hospital accompanied by two members of staff. The committee expressed its concern for the health and mental welfare of the staff and patients who witnessed the terrible event. Committee Chairperson Dr Kenneth Jacobs commended the hospital staff for their bravery and dedication to the patients in their care and their response to a frightening situation.
The committee expressed its shocked concern about the conditions surrounding the hospital. The committee said it wanted to put special emphasis on “old regulations” governing the roads and areas surrounding health facilities and hospitals. The committee was also concerned about the condition of the building adjacent to the hospital, which is badly overcrowded.
Members of the committee said that the building’s condition is a contributing factor to the events that transpired over the weekend. Dr Jacobs said: “We think it could have played a role, as the shooter was said to have left the hospital in the morning and had gone somewhere and had come back, and did not seem to be exhibiting normal behaviour.”
Members of the committee said the investigation into the incident must account for the role of the South African Police Service (SAPS), which is said to have brought the alleged shooter to the hospital for treatment. They also asked why the perpetrator was left unattended at the hospital by the police.
The committee highlighted that it is important to place emphasis on security at health facilities, not only at entrances, but also on the perimeter, so as to strengthen the safety of hospitals.
Dr Jacobs said vigorous engagements and discussion must ensue to address the issue of members of SAPS entering hospital premises with firearms loaded with live ammunition. “We have seen that these incidences are increasing in our health facilities. Recently we have had a case in Tembisa Hospital were the constable killed a nursing staff who was his partner. We want to have a look at the regulations with regards with the carrying of firearms by members of the SAPS at public facilities and whether there are other forms of restraints they could use, apart from entering facilities with loaded weapons.
The committee members expressed their sympathy for the families who lost loved ones during this tragic event, especially the family of Constable Donnay Phillips, the police officer who acted in service of his people. Dr Jacobs said it would be proper to give a posthumous award to the slain officer for his courage and dignity. “He laid down his life in the act of duty. Equally, the committee said they would like to applaud the nursing sister Dianne Seale who was instrumental in calming the shooter during the event.”
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, DR KENNETH JACOBS.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Yoliswa Landu
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 081 497 4694
E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za
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