Man arrested for raping patient
2011-10-28 09:02
Bloemfontein - A 33-year-old-man has been arrested for allegedly raping a terminally ill cancer patient in a Bloemfontein hospital, Free State police said on Friday.
Spokesperson Captain Harry Nagel said the man was arrested on Thursday night for the alleged rape of a 50-year-old cancer patient during a night shift at the National Hospital.
“The suspect, a male nurse, was arrested at his place of residence after he was positively identified during a photo identification that was done at the private hospital last night [Thursday].”
Nagel said the woman could not identify the female accomplice who allegedly helped the man.
Held down
The sick woman’s husband told police the attack happened on October 15.
According to the woman, a woman nurse held her down while a male nurse raped her.
The two staff members were suspended when the news broke earlier this week.
Nagel said police were still waiting for forensic tests.
Police said the man would appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Friday morning on a charge of rape.
The Health Professions Council of SA also indicated that it would be investigating the conduct of doctors who apparently ignored the woman's complaints of the incident.
- SAPA