A MOTHER and her newly born baby were injured after a
violent man broke into Mpilo Central Hospital’s maternity ward and assaulted
them while damaging the health institution’s property.
The mother and her two-day-old baby were injured as they
tried to escape from Mthabisi Moyo (22) from Nketa suburb, who had broken into
the maternity ward through a window.
The suspect is said to have smashed window panes to gain
entry into one of the country’s biggest referral hospitals.
Some expecting mothers reportedly fled when Moyo stormed
the ward but the woman who had recently given birth failed to escape.
Mpilo Central Hospital’s clinical director, Dr Solwayo
Ngwenya, confirmed the development which he said left patients traumatised.
“We are quite shocked that someone so violent could enter a
hospital. We don’t know this person. We don’t know whether he is of sober
habits or his mental status.
“But what happened is very unusual. Apparently, the mother
tried to run away and then the person assaulted her and the new-born baby which
is extremely strange. Fortunately, the mother and her infant did not sustain
life threatening injuries. They just suffered discomfort, shock and pain
following an incident which is totally unwarranted at the hospital,” said Dr
Ngwenya.
He assured patients that Mpilo Central Hospital has enough
security to protect them.
Dr Ngwenya said the incident was unexpected and will not
happen again as the hospital has used it to bolster its security. He apologised to the public following the
traumatic incident.
“There was a security guard manning the hospital’s entrance
and this person forcibly entered the hospital through breaking in through a
window. This is something that is quite unexpected and out of the blue. We want
to reassure the public that their security is of uttermost importance.
Unfortunately, there are some of the incidents that are out of our control and
extremely unusual. It’s not normal,” said Dr Ngwenya.
Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Inspector Abednico
Ncube said Moyo has been charged with assault and malicious damage of property.
“We arrested a 22-year-old man who invaded Mpilo Central
Hospital attacking a new mother and her two day old baby.
“He is being charged with assault and malicious damage to
property. The man is suspected to be a mental patient but it’s not for us as
police to confirm. That will be left to be confirmed by two doctors as required
by the law,” said Insp Ncube.
Sources at Mpilo Central Hospital said Moyo had spent the
day in the casualty ward.
“Thinking back, I saw him several times at the casualty and
I think he was seeking treatment. I don’t know what could have caused him to
behave in this bizarre manner. Imagine a grown man assaulting an infant. Maybe
he is mentally unstable,” said a source. Chronicle
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