Just three days ago the hospital made international headlines when a female medical intern bit off most of a man’s tongue as he allegedly attempted to rape her while she was in one of the overnight staff quarters on Tuesday night.

The management of the hospital responded to the incident saying they will beef up not only its security personnel, but also increase equipment for existing security. However, at about 05:15 this morning a female doctor was robbed at gunpoint in the parking lot of Pelonomi Hospital. 

The suspects even overpowered the security and fled the scene. The incident was confirmed by Free State Health Department Spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi. He said the department is going to investigate the incident as soon as possible.

Newly appointed Minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize, rushed to Bloemfontein after the first incident and met with the family of the 24-year-old intern doctor. He condemned the incident and said security measures will definitely be beefed at the hospital. He acknowledged the provincial department’s effort to tighten up security since the incident, but said more needs to be done.

Mkhize said access control to the hospital will be looked into and more security measures must be implemented. He has assured the family and the personnel at the hospital that investigations into the case will be carried out, and he appealed to hospitals in the different provinces to ensure that they upgrade their security and establish security committees to look into the efficiency of basic security.

“We believe that where there has been lapses in the day-to-day maintenance of security systems, there has to be consequences. We further believe that there has to be an upgrade of the whole security system so that in the future such situations do not arise,” said Mkhize.

He says they are going to be strict in terms of access control to hospitals, although it might inconvenience many, the public will have to understand that the department has an obligation to protect personnel and patients.

Mvambi confirmed to OFM News - in an interview this morning – that the latest investigation will look into how the suspects gained entrance to the hospital despite the fact that access control was reportely tightened.

OFM News