Mpilo staffer steals from dead patient

A worker at Mpilo Central Hospital has appeared in court facing charges of stealing clothes and other items belonging to a patient who died at the hospital.

Michael Muvenge Makamure, age not given, of 56780/2 Old Lobengula, was not asked to plead to a charge of theft when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Gladmore Mushove.

He was remanded out of custody on his own congnisance to Tuesday for start of trial.

For the State, Miss Caroline Matanga told the court that last week on Monday, Makamure was on duty in Ward B5 when the complainant, Ms Janet Zanga Masango's father was admitted to the ward.

It is said Ms Masango's father died on the same day at about 3pm and a duty nurse packed his belongings, which included two blankets, clothes, a urine bag, three bottles of mahewu, two packets of diapers, a towel and a bag and stashed them into a plastic bag.

The court was told that the nurse wrote the deceased's name on the plastic bag which he placed in the dressing room waiting for relatives to collect the property.

It is alleged the following day, Ms Masango and other relatives went to the hospital intending to collect the deceased's clothes and while they were waiting to be attended to, they saw the accused leaving the dressing room carrying a plastic bag.

The court was told that when the hospital staff looked for the items to give to the deceased's family, they found that there was nothing.

Makamure could not be located until he came back later in the day.

A report was made to the police at the hospital leading to his arrest.

The value of the stolen property was $262 and all was recovered.