1. (a) According to the KZN Department of Health, the two Security Officers implicated have since been suspended by the Private Security Company and are in the process of being subjected to a disciplinary inquiry. A case was opened (CAS No.586/9/2023) with South African Police Service following the incident and the Security Officers were arrested, detained, and thereafter released on bail. The Security Officers also appeared before Mental Health Review Board.
(b)-(c) The Kwa-Zulu Natal Department of Health has instituted an investigation into this matter to determine the role of the five nurses that were on duty on the night of the incident. The five nurses have been precautionarily suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
2. (a) The patient in question was admitted under Mental Health Care Act for 72-hour observation, as he presented with a history of aggressive behavior, intimidating other children at the Morester Children’s home, threatening to stab them and he had numerous abscondments from the Centre. At the time of the incident, the patient was mechanically restrained with the restraining devices to subdue his movement for the primary purpose of behaviour control.
(b) The Kwa-Zulu Natal Department of Health has instituted an investigation into this matter to determine the role of the five nurses that were on duty on the night of the incident. The five nurses have been precautionarily suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
(3) (a) The patient was transferred and admitted to the Child and Adolescent unit at a King Dinuzulu Hospital in Durban.
(b) The patient was transferred to a more specialised psychiatric care.
END.