Gauteng Health Department calls for increased security at crime-prone Rahima Moosa Hospital

Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, Johannesburg.

• Gauteng DH partHealth called for increased police visibility at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital.
• This comes after two serious criminal incidents were reported at the facility.
• The department said crime in the area is impacting patients seeking treatment at the hospital.

The Gauteng Department of Health has called for increased police presence in and around Coronation Building in Johannesburg after a serious criminal incident was reported at the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital.

Ministry spokesperson Mutalatare Modiba said two incidents of hijacking and shooting had been reported at the facility since December.

In the first incident, a nurse was hijacked at gunpoint after leaving a hospital on Christmas Day.

The second incident was reported on January 27, when another hijacking took place at the hospital gate and two people were shot dead.

“Minutes after entering the hospital premises, their car was hijacked at the gate. They were later released from the hospital.

“The hijacked vehicle was recovered several hours later,” Modiba said.

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He added that crime in the area is impacting patients seeking treatment at the hospital.

“Several patients have complained that upon arrival at the facility, they were robbed on their way to the hospital, their cellphones taken away and their handbags snatched.”

Mr Modiba said his department, in coordination with the Sophiatown Police Station, requested increased patrols around the hospital and the deployment of a police task force outside the facility.

“This will strengthen collaboration to ensure the safety of patients and staff, and to benefit the local community surrounding the hospital. The Community Policing Forum is currently actively patrolling the area.”

“Additionally, the Department is exploring other measures to improve safety measures in and around the facility.”