In the very places where healing and compassion are meant to reign, a disturbing trend of violence has taken hold. Health For Mzansi journalist Candice Khumalo delves into how doctors, nurses, counsellors, paramedics and many other healthcare workers become victims of crime, leaving the country with heartbreak and without lifesaving skills.
Disturbing crimes against healthcare workers include a nurse being brutally stabbed by a patient with a knife stolen from a security guard, simply for refusing to share a cigarette. Another nurse was shot and killed in front of his colleagues during a hijacking in KwaZulu-Natal. A doctor was kidnapped from a surgery in Gqeberha, while patients were robbed.
‘I was shot in front of my patients’
Dr Vusumuzi Nhlapo, a general practitioner (GP) with a private practice in Jabulani, Soweto, shares his devastating experience of being shot in front of his patients during an armed robbery.
This horrific incident has left him shaken and has highlighted the alarming rise in crime targeting medical professionals in Mzansi.
“Many other GPs in Soweto are having problems with armed robberies, and I also happened to be one of the victims.”
Dr Vusumuzi Nhlapo
Nhlapo recalls the terrifying experience, saying, “I ended up getting shot in my left arm and was injured after the incident and had to go to the hospital for treatment.”
He mentions how the lack of police visibility in the area has left him feeling unsafe in his own practice.
“I previously tried to get a direct emergency number from the local police station without success. The only thing I am relying on is the security features I have added, but I don’t feel safe while working in my own space,” he says.
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Dedicated doctors live in fear
Despite these dangers, Nhlapo and his colleagues remain dedicated to their communities. “Many of the doctors I know really love their jobs, and they are always ready to serve the community with pride.
“They can’t permanently close down their practices because they care about the communities they serve. But something must be done to protect doctors from increasing levels of crime.“
Nhlapo believes that more proactive measures from the government and police could help deter such crimes against healthcare professionals.
“What I believe the government and police can do is investigate these incidents thoroughly. If they can arrest the perpetrators, it can make a huge difference in discouraging these criminals from continuing.
“However, if there are no arrests, they will think they are winning. In my case, there has never been an arrest, and my case ended up being closed. These are serious charges – armed robbery and attempted murder because I was shot.”
He suggests that implementing rewards or special tasks could help address the issue. “I would understand if it was a one-off crime, but today it’s this surgery; tomorrow it’s the next. It has become a trend of ongoing crime.”
As a healthcare worker in a high-crime area, dietitian Zandile Mengwai from Pretoria states how the safety of healthcare workers is constantly questioned, and they are forced to live with the fear of being targeted by criminals.
“After a recent shooting of a nurse where I work, I got really terrified. We work with different people in a very high crime rate place, and it’s a constant concern. Honestly, we now just take each day as it comes. We are living with the grace of God, knowing that anything can happen anytime.”
However, she says they urge the authorities to take concrete steps to ensure the safety of healthcare providers.
“As healthcare providers, we work with different patients, some with anger issues, and others are prisoners; therefore, our safety is not guaranteed. As the crime rates increase day by day where criminals target healthcare workers, we live in fear and we hope that the government can do something with this situation.
“More security services should be provided in hospitals. We only have security at the gates, and it’s not tight enough.”
Dietitian Zandile Mengwai
Mental impact of crime
“Dealing with the mental challenges following an attack in a healthcare setting can be daunting,” says Nicodemus Bopape, a registered counsellor in private practice from Pretoria.
Dealing with anxiety and fear
Bopape warns of challenges that may arise in the aftermath of such events, which include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Increased anxiety and fear.
- Emotional distress.
- Interpersonal strain.
- Workplace productivity.
He offers insights and practical tips for healthcare workers grappling with the aftermath of such incidents:
- Seek professional support.
- Utilise employee assistance programmes (EAPs).
- Establish a support network: Connect with colleagues who may have experienced similar situations.
- Practise self-care.
- Set boundaries: Ensure you take time off to recover from the traumatic event. Avoid overworking, which can exacerbate stress.
- Educate yourself: Understanding the effects of trauma and learning about available resources can empower you to manage your mental health better.
For those struggling, Bopape recommends reaching out to support networks like the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag), which provides mental health support and counselling, and Lifeline South Africa, which also offers emotional support and crisis intervention.
ALSO READ: Nurse stabbed: Healthcare workers at risk
Find help and support
- Sadag: Provides mental health support and counselling. Call 0800 567 567 or visit their website.
- Lifeline South Africa: Offers emotional support and crisis intervention. Call 0861 322 322 or visit their website.
“Utilising these resources and strategies can help mitigate the impact of trauma and support recovery in the aftermath of an attack.”
According to Leon Myburgh, regional director of C.O.B.R.A. Self-Defense International in South Africa, criminals often prey on those they perceive as vulnerable, such as women, the elderly, less athletic men, children, and individuals with physical disabilities. “If you fall into this category, it’s crucial to learn how to protect yourself.”
He cautions, “Until help arrives, you’re alone with your attacker. If you don’t have the physical skills to protect yourself, the outcome could be devastating.”
Protect yourself
Myburgh highlights that knowing how to defend yourself improves your self-confidence, reduces anxiety, and makes you more aware of your surroundings.
He recommends these self-defense techniques for healthcare workers:
- Stay off your phone in public and stay aware of your surroundings.
- Listen to your internal alarm system.
- When you sense danger, take appropriate action. You can either escape or avoid the situation altogether.
- If you believe the attacker intends to physically harm you – such as in cases of rape, assault, or kidnapping—fighting back is recommended.
- If confronted by an aggressive person or criminal, it’s best to raise your hands above your elbows with palms facing the attacker.
- Use de-escalation tactics like apologising to defuse the situation, even if you’re not at fault.
- Everyday items like a pen or keys can also be used as self-defence tools by using them to stab at the attacker’s eyes or throat.
Warning signs
He adds that healthcare workers can also recognise warning signs of violence by paying attention to both verbal and non-verbal cues. Key indicators include:
- Shifts in behaviour: Someone who suddenly becomes very quiet, agitated, or aggressive could be a threat.
- Body language: Signs like clenching fists, pacing, or shifting weight can signal that someone is preparing for physical action.
- Verbal aggression: Raised voices, hostile language, or personal attacks are clear indicators of potential violence.
- Environment changes: Noticing unusual gatherings of people can also be warning signs.
“To stay safe from sudden attacks, stand at a safe distance, place an object between yourself and the aggressive person, and find a safe exit if necessary. Being aware of these cues allows healthcare workers to act proactively and avoid potentially dangerous situations.”
Myburgh emphasises the importance for healthcare workers to seek out a quality, reality-based self-defence programme that teaches practical techniques for real-world situations.
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