This follows an incident on Monday (19 December) morning when clinicians at the facility noticed that the flow of oxygen was lower than normal and reported the matter to the Department of Infrastructure Development who are responsible for the plant room where the stolen pipe runs. This led to the discovery that the oxygen supply pipe was tempered with.

A case has since been opened with the Diepkloof SAPS.

“The people who stole the copper pipe should not just be charged with theft but also with attempted murder. They intentionally put the lives of 24 patients at risk, 19 of whom were on life support and depended on access to oxygen through artificial ventilation,” explains MEC Nkomo- Ralehoko.

Fortunately, the patients were immediately evacuated to another ward where ventilation was continued. A contractor was immediately called on site and the copper pipe has since been replaced. The process to move patients back into the main ICU will commence on Wednesday, 21 December 2022.

Ends/
Issued by the Gauteng Department of Health

For more information, contact Tshepo Shawa, Spokesperson for the MEC for Health: 072 222 6333 or

Tshepo.Shawa@gauteng.gov.za

Or
Motalatale Modiba, Head of Communication: 064 803 0808 or

mediaenquiries@gauteng.gov.za

For media releases, speeches and news visit the Gauteng Department of Health’s’ portal at www.gauteng.gov.za