Diepsloot man spends long weekend without treatment after hammer attack

Israel Ranko recently enjoyed an evening out with friends in Diepsloot Ext 2, but went back home with a cracked jaw and missing two teeth.

This followed after a drunk man allegedly smashed a hammer into Ranko’s mouth after he attempted to stop a street fight. Then, as if that was not enough pain, the 26-year-old had to spend the long weekend in agony as the clinics in Diepsloot were not open over the public holidays.

Ranko’s mother, Rose, expressed her disappointment at the unavailability of medical care in Diepsloot over the holidays. “He has not yet received medical treatment up to now. I took him to Ladium Hospital over the long weekend and we were turned away. Even private doctors refused to treat him,” said Rose.

The young man, who has temporarily lost the capacity to speak due to damages inflicted on his mouth, went to Tembisa Hospital on 3 May.

Rose complained that the suspect was still a free man, even after they reported the case to the police. She said the police advised them to have a J38 form filled out by a medical practitioner before an arrest could be made. This is apparently standard police procedure before arresting assault suspects.

“I asked this guy who hit my son, why he attacked him with a hammer, and he said he was drunk and could not account for his actions,” lamented Rose. She added that private doctors turned them away because they do not want to come to court to testify since the suspect will be arrested upon presentation of a J38 form.

DA councillor, Refilwe Mathebula, repeated the call for a 24/7 hospital facility in the populous township. “It is sad that 22 years into democracy there are still some sections of our society without access to medication,” said Mathebula.