KEY POINTS
- A psychiatric patient killed another inside Philadelphia Hospital in Limpopo.
- Police caught the attacker biting the victim’s genitals.
- Officials promise a full investigation and better hospital security.
Philadelphia Hospital in Dennilton, Limpopo, became a crime scene early Saturday morning. A psychiatric patient killed another patient. Shockingly, police found the attacker biting the victim’s genitals.
Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, Limpopo police spokesperson, said officers rushed to the hospital around 2 a.m. after an emergency call. What they saw left them stunned.
“When officers entered the room, they saw a man covered in blood. He was on top of another patient, biting the deceased’s genitals. It was horrifying,” Mashaba said.
The victim, a 33-year-old man, had been shot in the head. His body showed signs of a struggle. A security guard, acting quickly to stop the attack, shot the 45-year-old attacker in both legs.
Security steps in to stop the brutal attack
During the chaos, another security guard was accidentally shot in the thigh by a stray bullet. Spent cartridges lay on the floor, showing how intense the struggle had been. Moreover, the quick response by security helped contain the situation and prevent further harm.
Police arrested the suspect on the spot. He is now under police guard in a local hospital and faces charges of murder and attempted murder.
Meanwhile, Mashaba emphasized that investigators are actively working to understand how this could happen in a place meant for healing.
Community in shock, calls for stronger hospital security
The local community is struggling to accept the violence. Limpopo’s police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, described it as one of the most shocking incidents they have faced.
“Our thoughts are with the families. We promise a full investigation. The safety of patients and hospital workers is our top concern,” Hadebe said.
In response, Provincial Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego visited the hospital to learn more. Additionally, Thilivhali Muavha, spokesperson for Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba, stated that the government is focused on helping affected families and improving security.
“This is painful for our province. We are committed to finding out what happened and ensuring hospitals are safer,” Muavha said.
Officials have promised to provide regular updates as investigations continue. Furthermore, the attack has led to urgent talks about safety in psychiatric hospitals. Many are now calling for better security and improved staff training.
The Limpopo health department has promised to check security in all hospitals. Ultimately, the goal is to prevent such horrific events from happening again. For now, the community and families are left seeking answers about how this violence could happen in a place meant for healing.
