Racism exposed at Ingutsheni Hospital

TESTIMONY by a former nurse aide at Ingutsheni Hospital during an inquest into the death of a psychiatric patient who allegedly burnt himself to death last year, has exposed possible discriminatory behaviour by staff at the institution.

Rumson Sibanda who worked at the hospital for 37 years revealed this when he was testifying yesterday during the inquest of Trevor Zartmann, 41, a white mental patient who was admitted to the facility.

In his testimony before coroner, regional magistrate Crispen Mberewere, Sibanda told the court that unlike their black counterparts, white patients admitted to Ingutsheni Hospital were not subjected to searches.

"When I reported for duty on March 3, 2013 shortly after 5.30PM, I found three nurses - sisters Moyo, Mkhwananzi and Mutizi - and they indicated to me that there was a new private patient who was transferred from Dawson Ward and his name was Trevor Zartmann. They warned me that he was very violent.

"They then indicated to me that Zartmann had a plastic bag containing his belongings and dissuaded me from touching it. However, under normal circumstances, patients who are admitted to the hospital are searched before they are moved into the wards," said Sibanda.
Sibanda said: "All black patients are searched before they are moved to the wards, but when it comes to whites they don't go through that process. I didn't search Zartmann's bag because I was told that we were not supposed to search private patients' bags although it was not proper for Zartmann to keep his belongings in the ward.

"It therefore raises suspicion that an institution like Ingutsheni could allow patients to keep their belongings in their room. It once happened in 1977 when a white patient was admitted to Ingutsheni Hospital and he was allowed to keep his belongings but surprisingly even today nothing has changed."

Sibanda said he discovered Zartmann's death while going through the routine check.

"I went to the wards for routine checks at about 7.30PM and found Zartmann lying on his bed but his eyes were still open. At 8.45PM I decided to do another routine check in the wards and at that juncture I sensed that there was something burning in one of the side rooms.

On investigating I found Zartmann lying on his stomach close to the door and his blankets and mattress were burnt and there was smoke all over his room and I informed the matron," he said.

Sibanda who was the last witness to testify said match sticks were strewn all over the floor. A medical report submitted shows that Zartmann died due to open fire burns, smoke inhalation and asphyxia.

However, his relatives blame the hospital for allegedly causing his death, arguing that there was negligence by the hospital staff.

One of the nurses who testified earlier, Mopha Ncube said he was on duty on the fateful day and gave Zartmann water to bath.

In her affidavit Clara Magagada, the sister in charge of the Dawson Ward said, "Dr Sadoma conducted his routine checks and observed that Zartmann was verbally and physically abusive and ordered that we move him to the Mzilikazi Z Ward. He moved with his clothes, cigarettes, match box and a few groceries because he was being aggressive even to other patients," she said.

Magagada said she was notified of Zartmann's death the following morning.

The state led by Jeremiah Mutsindikwa alleges that a routine check was carried out at 7.30 PM last year on March 3 during which Zartmann was alive.

"At around 8.45PM, the nurse on duty doing routine checks discovered that there was smoke coming from Zartmann's room. He opened the room and saw him lying on the floor on his stomach facing down with no movement. The nurse also discovered that his left side, blankets and pillow were burnt," said Mutsindikwa.

Mberewere set September 25 as the date for a ruling.