A 27-year-old man arrested for allegedly stealing a dialysis machine from a local hospital, where he was formerly employed, is expected to appear in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court this week.
According to Chatsworth SAPS communications officer, Captain Cheryl Pillay, it is alleged that on 24 August, at midnight, the suspect had proceeded to a hospital where he removed a machine without permission. The suspect thereafter pawned the machine for monetary gain. “After being on the run from police for a month, police finally arrested the suspect in the area of Shallcross in Chatsworth. Further investigations led police to a property in the Umhlatuzana Township area where police recovered the dialysis machine which is valued at over R250 000. Police seized the exhibit which will be returned to the hospital in due course,” said Capt Pillay.
Chatsworth Community Policing Forum spokesperson, Selvan Moodley, said the forum urges residents living within the borders of institutions such as the hospital to be aware so that they can report any illegal or suspicious activity. “We cannot let crimes of this nature happen in our community. The equipment which was stolen from the hospital, as well as any theft of medical equipment, will set our community back. People who required the life-saving medical equipment will have to be denied access due to theft which should not be happening under our nose in our community,” added Moodley.
Station commander of the Chatsworth SAPS, Brigadier Kevin James, said the recovery of the dialysis machine plays an important role in the medical field which will serve to save the lives of patients, especially at this time with patients who are suffering with comorbidities. “For that I am extremely grateful to the investigators who worked relentlessly to recover this precious equipment which is critical in saving lives. May the principles of Batho Pele be entrenched in our minds. People first,” he added. KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health spokesperson, Agiza Hlongwane, said the matter was brought to their attention, however, a comment could not be obtained at the time of going to print. Meanwhile, the theft has sparked concern with the Inkatha Freedom Party, which has called for an internal investigation and assessment of the security measures within the hospital. “This criminal act of theft by a former hospital employee raises concerns over the lack of safety and security at our healthcare facilities. Why are there no measures in place to prevent the looting of equipment and infrastructure? Undoubtedly, the theft of such a large piece of equipment was a pre-meditated crime, and the thief must have had assistance possibly from other staff, or security officials.” The hospital had yet to comment on the theft by the time of print.
