Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
THE nurse-in-charge at Nyamazira Clinic, who slapped and kicked a heavily pregnant woman has been convicted of assault, with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, moving in to suspend him from duty to allow internal investigations and disciplinary hearings to proceed.
The convict, Shingirai Nyongolo appeared at Rusape Magistrates’ Court on assault charges, and was fined US$250.
He was represented by prominent Rusape lawyer, Mr Leonard Chigadza, of Chigadza and Partners Legal Practitioners, and pleaded guilty to the offence.
Makoni District Medical Officer, Dr Tendai Nyafesa, said they suspended Nyongolo on full benefits, and launched internal investigations.
He said a doctor was sent to examine the woman, who was found to be in good health along with her child.
“Following revelations of the allegations that a member of staff assaulted a pregnant woman, we promptly visited the clinic to gather finer details. We managed to locate the woman, and she was attended to by a medical doctor at her homestead in Nyamazira Village. The doctor produced a medical report, which the woman tendered at Mayo Police Station for police to open the docket. The woman is in stable condition and her eye has recovered. The baby is also fine. The member of staff has since been suspended from attending work to allow investigations to go smoothly,” said Dr Nyafesa.
The incident occurred on July 13, three days before the victim, Ms Chipo Gavi-Tsiga gave birth.
Mrs Gavi-Tsiga told The Manica Post the altercation erupted when she and other expectant mothers took buckets used in the maternity waiting shelter to the clinic tap for cleaning.
She said Nyongolo accused them of bringing unhygienic containers to the tap and became agitated when they defended themselves.
“We had gone to fetch water and found him at the tap. He complained that we were bringing urinary buckets to the tap. We explained that we were not using the buckets to relieve ourselves because of our condition, but he insisted that they were dirty. He continued scolding us, and I told him he was being too talkative. He then became angry, kicked me in the stomach and slapped me on my right eye.
My eye was swollen, and I have been experiencing back pain since then. I was assaulted on July 13 and gave birth on July 16. Since then, he has visited our home several times. He initially offered me US$25 and later increased the amount to US$150, but I have not accepted because I am still in pain,” she said.
Responding to the allegations, Nyongolo admitted slapping her, but denied kicking her.
He said the confrontation arose after he reprimanded the women for washing dirty buckets at the clinic’s only water source.
“I advised the pregnant women not to wash the buckets they use at the tap because it is the only water point we have. I told them to fetch clean water first and wash the dirty buckets elsewhere. The woman then insulted me, saying she would look for the person who had knocked off my teeth and have my remaining teeth removed. I was deeply offended and I slapped her. I did not kick her. I admitted slapping her because I lost my temper. I later visited her family and apologised. They accepted my apology, but they still want the matter to proceed through the police,” he said.
