The Mpumalanga police have made developments after a group of people invaded Carolina Hospital, terrorised and robbed the staff and patients, and vandalised medical equipment and furniture in the casualty unit. The incident took place in the early hours of June 17.
The four suspects, aged between 17 and 21, were arrested by the Mpumalanga SAPS anti-gang unit on Thursday June 29.
A provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, said the four will appear in the Carolina Magistrate’s Court on July 3.
“They are facing charges that include malicious damage to property, business robbery and being in possession of suspected stolen property,” Mohlala said.
He said the police recovered a mobile phone, believed to have been stolen during the robbery.
Mpumalanga News previously reported that the incident occurred after two people were brought to the hospital by a group of people. One had gunshot wounds, and eventually succumbed to his injuries, and the other with a stab wound.
The police had already arrested Nomfundo Joloza (22) on June 17 on charges of malicious damage to property. She appeared in the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on June 18 and was released on a warning. The matter was postponed to July 3 in the same court.
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The Mpumalanga SAPS, the Department of Health and the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison had condemned the incident.
The provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, said the police are hard at work to ensure the arrest of those involved in recent attacks at health facilities and its staff.