The police in Limpopo are looking for a 30-year-old man who allegedly assaulted a nurse at a clinic in Relela outside Tzaneen. It is alleged that Promise Lebepe arrived at the clinic and demanded the nurse to attend to him while she was still busy with another patient.  

ASSAULTING NURSE FOR A SICK NOTE 

Limpopo Health MEC Sr Phophi Ramathuba spokesperson Thilivhali Muavha said the patient had visited the clinic to get a sick note to produce to his employer, even though he did not consult at the clinic but bought medication at the chemist. "The patient allegedly stormed the consultation room where the nurse was busy assisting another patient and demanded to be assisted immediately," Muavha said. Muavha added that the nurse requested the patient to queue just like any other person and an altercation ensued. "The patient allegedly grabbed the nurse with her skirts and started assaulting her. He attempted hitting her with a brick, but he was blocked by other patients," he said. 

 
POLICE LOOKING FOR THE SUSPECT 

Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the suspect fled the scene after the assault and that the police have been looking for him since. "Police are thereby calling on Promise Lebepe to hand himself over to the nearest police station as we believe he can help us in solving this case," Ledwaba said. 

NURSES IN DANGER 

Ramathuba has called on the community of Bolobedu to stand up and protect health care workers. Last week, a nurse was raped in Madumane village, a few kilometres from Relela while on her way to work. "I am appalled by this incident that is happening at the backdrop of kidnapping and rape of a nurse at Madumane which is a stone throw from Relela. The onslaught against healthcare professionals needs to be stopped now because one day we will wake up with no one to take care of us when we are sick because no one want to work in an environment where they don't feel safe. The community must stand up," said Ramathuba.