The brutal attack at Rietvlei Hospital has intensified calls for stronger security measures in South Africa’s healthcare facilities. Picture Credits: X
By Thulane Madalane
KwaZulu-Natal – The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has demanded urgent intervention following the brutal stabbing of a doctor and his female companion inside the doctors’ quarters at Rietvlei Hospital in Umzimkhulu, southern KwaZulu-Natal.
The attacker is alleged to be a member of the hospital’s contracted security team — a revelation SAMA says highlights serious failures in staff vetting, internal safety protocols and facility oversight.
“This incident underscores the troubling reality that healthcare workers in South Africa face escalating levels of violence while performing their duties,” SAMA said.
The association has called on Rietvlei Hospital management to launch a full investigation, provide a detailed account of actions taken since the incident, and implement a clear consequence management plan. It has set 28 November 2025 as the deadline for the hospital to provide a progress report, including a timeline for an immediate risk assessment to determine whether additional security measures are needed.
SAMA noted that the attack comes amid a worrying rise in violent incidents targeting healthcare professionals across the country:
- In January 2025, two nurses from Ga-Chuene Clinic in Limpopo were abducted, assaulted and sexually violated while on duty.
- In the North West, nurses and security staff at Bapong Community Health Centre were attacked during community unrest.
- In Gauteng, healthcare workers continue to face physical assaults — including punching, biting and choking — particularly in mental health wards.
- In Mpumalanga, the Public Servants Association raised the alarm after armed intruders entered Barberton Hospital during a night shift.
SAMA warned that fear among healthcare staff could lead to resignations, reduced service hours or reluctance to work night shifts — further straining an already overburdened system.
The association has called on national and provincial health departments to strengthen security in rural and high-risk facilities, improve vetting and training of security personnel, and conduct regular safety audits. It also urged hospital management to upgrade infrastructure such as lighting and access control, while insisting that law enforcement prioritise attacks on healthcare workers.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health said it has been informed of the incident and is awaiting a formal report from the hospital.
