Author: Kathryn Cleary

Following a family’s complaint of the alleged assault of a Fort England patient, Acting CEO, Mbuyi Zonke, has stated that no evidence of assault was found after the hospital board’s independent investigation. “The outcome of the independent person was communicated with the family on the 25 May 2018. The overall perspective of the investigation did not find any evidence of patient abuse. “This matter is now completed by our institution and all the documents related to it will be escalated to head office (legal department).” Grocott’s Mail reported on allegations that the patient had been beaten by nursing and security…

8 JUNE 2018 EASTERN CAPE HEALTH MEC COMMENDS HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT FOR EVACUATING PATIENTS AT BURNING HOSPITAL BHISHO ——- Eastern Cape Health MEC has commended the Jansenville Saurs hospital management for quickly evacuating patients and staff when the fire broke out at the hospital this morning. The cause of the fire is still unknown and the police investigations are underway. The Management of Jansenville Saurs hospital successfully evacuated patients and staff when fire broke at the hospital at the casualty and linen room this morning. There were 8 patients, 3 professional nurses and a general assistant at that time of the incident.…

Health MEC Helen Sauls-August on 6 June issued a statement in support of Health Ombudsman, Malegapuru Makgoba’s, investigation of Tower Psychiatric Hospital in Fort Beaufort. The statement comes more than two months after former Tower psychiatrist, Kiran Sukeri, filed a formal complaint to the Ombud’s office on 21 February. Sukeri’s concerns highlighted in Rapport and City Press on 4 March, alleged human rights violations and mismanagement of the hospital. Sauls-August, who was moved from Human Settlements to health in a PEC reshuffle two weeks ago, welcomed the investigation and said Makgoba had this week met with Health Department officials and hospital…

Tower Psychiatric Hospital CEO, Ntombizandile Ngcume, has retired. The Department of Health on Tuesday 5 June confirmed this unexpected move, countering rumours that Ngcume had resigned from the Fort Beaufort institution on 31 May.  This information comes amid ongoing investigations into allegations of human rights violations at Tower Psychiatric Hospital by psychiatrist, Kiran Sukeri, as reported in Rapport earlier this year. “The CEO is retiring and has not resigned. Nursing Manager, Mr Baart is the Acting CEO,” Eastern Cape Spokesperson for Health, Lwandile Sicwetsha told Grocott’s Mail. Baart will serve as Acting CEO until Luvoyo Bayeni steps in as Acting CEO until…

Insight into Eastern Cape’s mental healthcare crisis As Grocott’s Mail continues to report on the Eastern Cape’s mental healthcare crisis, journalist Kathryn Cleary spoke to the South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH) about the roles of the government and NGOs. What are some of the key things that need to be changed nationally for the betterment of mental healthcare users (MHCU)? The legal and policy framework speaks to the creation of a continuum of care, but the implementation of this system contains many bottlenecks and blockades at every level. Essentially, there is no part of the system that does not fall short…

Rhodes University lecturer, Professor Philip Machanick, will share his knowledge about fossil fuel use and Green politics at #BreakFreeGHT this Friday. The public discussion will take place from 3pm at the Africa Media Matrix on Prince Alfred Street. The event serves as a way to discuss environmental issues and fossil fuel use around the globe and in Grahamstown. Machanick shared some of his insight on ‘Green politics’ with Grocott’s Mail. “I will give some background on the development of Green politics in Australia, which has the oldest Green party in the world, with origins in the United Tasmania Group (UTG)…

Police confirm that a patient at Tower Psychiatric Hospital in Fort Beaufort died this week after complaining of a stomach ache. This comes following information from a confidential source within the facility that patients were allegedly served soup containing expired chicken livers the evening of Sunday, 20 May. SAPS Eastern Cape Media Liason, Captain Khaya Tonjeni, confirmed the death at the hospital on Tuesday, 22 May . “The patient had complained of stomach ache according to statements obtained,” said Tonjeni. “He later passed on before being taken to hospital. The cause of death is not known as yet, as we are…

Local resident, Graeme Holmes, is making it his mission to reinvigorate Grahamstown’s tourism industry. Holmes works alongside community members and businesses as a means to give Grahamstown an inspired and exciting appeal to potential tourists. Holmes started The Grahamstown Project towards the end of 2017, by working on cleaning up the grounds of St Phillip’s Church in Fingo Village just in time for the Christmas holidays. “It’s a social business”, said Holmes. “I’m marketing publicity of Grahamstown.” “When people think about Grahamstown, you cannot say potholes,” he said. “It’s about presenting your best face.” The Grahamstown Project’s new website features…

A Fort England patient and their family are still in the dark after laying a charge of assault against the psychiatric hospital. However, the hospital’s head says they are not hiding anything and are waiting for the outcome of an internal investigation. Meanwhile, the South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH) is gearing up to take the country’s mental health care crisis to the highest level. Kathryn Cleary reports. The family of a patient laid an internal complaint with Fort England the end of March after the patient was allegedly assaulted by nursing and security staff. On 2 May, having…

By Julianna Whiteway, The Stand, Staff reporter Single mothers agree that being a parent is a tough, but rewarding job It’s not about the latest Jordans. It’s about spending time together. Some single South Side moms who’ve been meeting lately say time is what their kids need from a dad, not a gift. And time with the kids buys time for the mothers, too. “Just spend time with her ᾿cause she doesn’t know who’s buying her sneakers or who’s putting dinner on the table,” said Naja Pitts, a single mother who recently was part of a panel with other single…