Nurse injured, shooter dead at local hospital

Police are investigating a case of attempted murder and have registered an inquest after a patient allegedly fired random shots in the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital on Friday, injuring a male nurse before reportedly turning the gun on himself.
Provincial Police Spokesperson Moatshe Ngoepe indicated that the patient, identified as 36-year-old businessman Thizwilonde Mochatau from Thohoyandou, was transported from Venda to Polokwane for medical treatment.
Upon his arrival at the hospital he allegedly produced a firearm and randomly fired shots in one of the wards, according to Ngoepe who added that a 32-year-old on-duty male nurse was shot several times during the incident.
It is believed that while staff were still running for cover a last shot was heard from the ward. Ngoepe informed that when staff went to investigate they found the patient lying on the floor in a pool of blood with the gun next to his body.
The Police were notified and hastened to the scene where the patient had been declared dead. The firearm was confiscated. Preliminary investigations revealed that the firearm was licensed and the property of the deceased, according to Ngoepe.
The injured nurse is still recuperating in hospital.
Department of Health spokesperson Neil Shikwambana said MEC Phophi Ramathuba was devastated over the incident. He confirmed that the deceased had made use of the department’s Planned Patient Transport system.
He was allegedly booked to undergo renal dialysis at Pietersburg Provincial Hospital.

Story: RC Myburgh
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