When police officers arrived at Philadelphia Hospital at around 2am on Saturday, the mental patient was allegedly biting genitals of the deceased patient, covered in blood.
Image: File Photo
Police in Limpopo are investigating “a shocking case” of murder and attempted murder which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, at around 2am, inside the psychiatric ward of Philadelphia Hospital in Dennilton, Sekhukhune District.
Provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, said police officers who were on patrol swiftly responded to a report of an assault at the hospital.
“Upon arrival, they discovered a gruesome crime scene inside a locked room. A male suspect was found on top of a lifeless male body, covered in blood, and allegedly biting the deceased's genitals. The deceased, aged 33, sustained a gunshot wound on the head, along with multiple injuries, including missing teeth,” said Mashaba.
The 45-year-old psychiatric patient, who was biting the deceased patient’s genitals, had also suffered gunshot wounds on both legs, allegedly inflicted by a security officer who was attempting to defuse the situation.
When police officers arrived at the crime scene, they allegedly found the mental patient biting genitals of the deceased patient.
Image: SAPS
The 45-year-old was immediately placed under arrest and is receiving medical treatment at a local hospital, under police guard.
Additionally, Mashaba said a security guard at the scene sustained a gunshot wound on the thigh, which was apparently inflicted by his colleague. The security guard was allegedly hit by a ricochet bullet fired by his colleague during the fracas.
Several spent cartridges were recovered by police at the scene.
Police said the arrested 45-year-old man faces charges of murder.
Provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.
Image: SAPS
Meanwhile, Limpopo provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has strongly condemned the incident.
“This is a deeply disturbing and gruesome incident that has left the community in shock. The safety of both patients and healthcare workers remains a priority, and we will ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted to uncover the circumstances that led to this tragic incident,” she said.
“We commend the police officers for their swift response.”
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On Saturday, IOL reported that the Limpopo provincial government stated that two mental healthcare patients had tragically lost their lives at the Philadelphia Hospital in the Sekhukhune District of Limpopo.
At the time, the Limpopo provincial government said it was “deeply saddened” about the incident, and circumstances around the tragedy were still sketchy.
“In response to this incident, the MEC for Health, Dieketseng Mashego is en route to the hospital to gather further details and to assess the situation firsthand. The police are currently on the scene,” said Thilivhali Muavha, spokesperson for Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba.
Muavha said the provincial department of health will provide updates on the situation as more information becomes available.
“The provincial government’s primary concern is the well-being of the patients and the families involved and urges the community to remain calm as the province navigates this unfortunate event,” said Muavha on Saturday.
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IOL
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