Patient opens fire in Polokwane hospital

South African Police Service

Patient opens fire in Polokwane hospital
Patient opens fire in Polokwane hospital

The South African Police Service in Polokwane are investigating an attempted murder and inquest cases which occurred in the Polokwane Provincial hospital on Friday, 23 August 2019.

It is alleged that on 23 August 2019, at about 17:30, a patient was being transported by an ambulance from Venda to Polokwane Provincial hospital for medical treatment and on arrival at the hospital, he took out a firearm and randomly fired shots within the ward.

During that process, a 32 year old on duty male nurse was shot multiple times. Soon after the incident, another gun shot was heard and later, the patient was found on the floor of the ward in a pool of blood and the firearm lying next to his body.

The Police were notified and reacted swiftly to the scene of the crime. The deceased was certified dead at the scene and the firearm used was confiscated. The preliminary police investigations have revealed that it is a licensed firearm belonging to the deceased.

The deceased patient was identified as a businessman, Thizwilonde Mochatau aged 36 from Thohoyandou.

The motive behind this incident is not clear at this stage however investigations continue.

South Africa Today – South Africa News

SOURCESouth African Police Service