The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has confirmed that two security guards accused of assaulting a 13 year-old boy with a disability at Ladysmith Hospital have been fired. The guards were caught on camera assaulting the victim who was on his hospital bed at the time.

The health department said the incident happened last Thursday and it was brought to their attention via social media. On the video the victim is heard crying whilst the two guards beat him repeatedly with their bare hands. Departmental spokesperson Ntokozo Maphisa said as a department, they are shocked and appalled by this incident.

"MEC Nomagugu Simelane has made it clear that the safety and well-being of our patients are our priority and that their abuse under any circumstances, and in any way, shape or form, will not be accepted."

Maphisa added that the matter has been reported to the police and to the Department of Social Development.  "We can also confirm that a disciplinary process is underway. This process will look into where the nurses were when the incident took place, who called the security guards and why the patient was assaulted.The department has launched an urgent internal investigation at the Ladysmith Hospital. The two security guards belonged to an outsourced company, which immediately dismissed them after being notified of the incident," said Maphisa. Maphisa said the victim was moved to a different health care facility.