LOUIS TRICHARDT - Chief Professional Nurse, Mrs Joyce Mashamba, who was assaulted by an ambulance driver while they were arguing in the Louis Trichardt Hospital two weeks ago, says she is not happy with the decision taken by the court.

Mathivha, who reported the case to the police on Saturday, a day after the incident, was expecting their case to be heard on Thursday last week. She said she was shocked to hear that the case had been closed after the ambulance driver, Bakali, had pleaded guilty and was fined R300.

The case was finalised in Mathivha's absence. She only learnt about the decision when she inquired about their court appearance. Mathivha said she was also concerned that Bakali had never appeared before a DC, as the secretary of the hospital, Mr Nelson Mabaso had promised.

Her other concern was that nobody seemed to care that she was depressed after being humiliated in front of patients and colleagues.

Mr David Mamunana of the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) expressed his shock over the incident. He said it was shocking that Mathivha had been slapped in hospital in her line of duty. "Days have passed, but nothing has been done or said by the hospital or the department. We are also shocked by the decision taken by the court. To our surprise, on the same day where Bakali was fined R300, a young girl was fined R1 000 for stealing sunglasses.

"Our other concern is how the two officers are going to work, as Bakali is the only ambulance driver during the day. We are going to contact our legal department. We feel nurses are not protected at work as they are raped or assaulted while the department is doing nothing," said Mamunana.