Flying rock kills patient in hospital

Police believe it came from blasting at shopping mall building site nearby

By ZINE GEORGE and MODISE KABELI

IN A freak accident, an elderly patient was fatally injured in her hospital bed in Mdantsane this week when she was hit on the head by a rock that crashed through the hospital roof.

Police said the rock was apparently launched from an explosion at an adjacent construction site where blasting work on Mdantsane’s first full-blown shopping mall is under way.

The site is being developed by the Johannesburg-based Billion Property Group, which is also behind development plans for a R800million shopping mall adjoining Hemingways Casino.

The woman’s death on Wednesday is the second accidental death connected with the site in less that four months – in May, 11-year-old Asemahle Daweti of Mdantsane died after a bulldozer driver unknowingly dumped sand on him while he was playing there with seven friends.

Billion chief executive Sisa Ngebulana last night said he was shocked to hear of the latest death.

“I am not aware of that. I know that these guys are busy blasting rocks and there were some delays earlier for some reason, but no one has told me about this tragedy

“Oh my God, why this again in Mdantsane. Why?”

Police spokesperson Superintendent Mtati Tana confirmed that the patient at the Nkqubela Hospital for tuberculosis and psychiatric patients had been fatally injured.

“The woman was aged between 65 and 70. It appears that these guys were blasting some rocks at a construction site and one rock flew off, ripping through the roof of Nkqubela Hospital. The poor old woman was lying asleep in her hospital bed, and the rock hit her head.”

Captain Mluleki Mbi said he was not certain whether the roof had collapsed as well, but added that the woman had been taken to the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital where she died as a result of her injuries.

Her name has not been released as her relatives are still to be informed.

Speaking to the Dispatch from Cape Town, Ngebulana said he would fly to East London today.

“Following the first incident I personally got involved in ensuring that all the safety measures are in place on the site.” If these were followed, the accident had to be the result of something unexpected. If they didn’t follow the safety measures that are in place. then it’s something else.”

He said an investigation would be launched.

Health Department spokesperson Mzukisi Ndara last night said senior department officials were on their way to the scene to assess the situation.

“All I can say at this stage is that the department, together with the managers of Nkqubela, will have to sit down and discuss how can we assist this family. This is extremely tragic.”

Following the boy’s death, the provincial Department of Labour investigated possible charges of negligence against the Billion Property Group and the building contractors, MXL Civils, after it was alleged that the site’s safety officer was away on maternity leave in Mthatha.