By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has advised members of the public who need to access health care services at Tembisa Hospital today, to visit other health facilities, as the hospital remains inaccessible following a fatal shooting incident.
Lebo Monene was shot dead by her boyfriend, who is a South African Police Service officer.
According to the Gauteng Department of Health, the police officer – who was on duty – entered the hospital in Ekurhuleni with a state vehicle and called his partner to the parking lot, where he shot her before turning the gun on himself.
The 31-year-old man was then airlifted to Milpark Hospital after surviving and is said to be in a critical condition.
The police constable is attached to the Ekurhuleni Cluster Tracing Team, the Independent Investigative Directorate (IPID) confirmed on Wednesday.
The incident has left both patients and staff members in shock.
Ipid spokesperson Grace Langa indicated that the nurse – who worked at the hospital since April 2016 – was shot about seven times in the head and neck.
“The girlfriend was certified dead on the scene by paramedics. The constable police officer was airlifted to Milpark Hospital with a bullet wound on his cheek and he is in a stable condition. A case of murder was opened at Tembisa Saps,” Langa said.
According to the department, patients currently admitted at the facility continue to receive care.
Members of the public will be notified when the facility reopens later today.
Given the tragic incident, Tembisa Hospital is currently not in a position to receive the public into the facility and is diverting calls to nearby facilities.
This will allow the police to work on the scene of the incident and for the debriefing and counselling of both staff and patients.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) also condemned the incident, urging law enforcement agencies to ensure that the police officer faces the full might of the law for “abusing his power”.
The union also called for tighter security measures at hospitals.
“This incident has highlighted the need to reconsider allowing officers of the law to enter facilities with guns, and the need to have gun storage in healthcare facilities by security unless they are escorting a dangerous patient or a convict,” Denosa Gauteng chairperson Simphiwe Gada said.
Monene’s brother, Daniel Thobakgale, said the family was saddened by her death.
“As the Monene family, we are deeply saddened by the sudden death of our child, a mother to two young boys and a sister. Our hearts are very much in pain.
“Lebo was a young and energetic woman. The kids are with their grandparents in Limpopo. Her parents are shattered. They couldn’t talk to me when I called them,” he toldthe media outside Monene’s house.