Basic services came to a standstill at the Donald Fraser Hospital when an ill prisoner attempted to commit suicide by cutting his throat with a sharp object in full view of the staff members and patients.

He stabbed himself four times in his throat, until he was overpowered by staff members from Correctional Services and the hospital security officers. The incident, which took place last week, has raised eyebrows about the safety of both patients and staff members in public hospitals.

Mirror has reliably learnt that the prisoner was brought for treatment by members of the Correctional Services Department. Eyewitnesses said the man was chained and handcuffed and he was waiting to be attended to at the OPD when he asked members of the Correctional Services to free his hands so that he could drink some water. "He pretended as if he was going to drink water but his legs were still chained. As fast as lighting he stood on the wooden chair and grabbed a light on the ceiling. He then smashed the glass lamp cover on the floor and held up a sharp piece, threatening to kill anyone who came near him," said an eyewitness. The eyewitness added that the prisoner started stabbing himself in the throat. "People looked on in horror, but the swift reaction of the security officers and the Correctional Services staff saved his life."

When Mirror arrived at the scene, the drama was still in progress as police officers, members of the Correctional Services and hospital security dragged the man to a consulting room for treatment of his injuries. Scores of people and confused patients watched in disbelief as the 40-minute drama drew to a close when the doors of the consulting room were finally locked. An influential hospital staff member forcefully pushed out members of the media who wanted to take more pictures when the prisoner was taken into the consulting room. "Who are you? Go out! What do you want here?" he barked, while banging the door of the consulting room.

When approached for comment, the spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Development, Mr Phuti Seloba, said the prisoner was under guard and it was the responsibility of the Correctional Services staff to keep a watchful eye on him. Mr Mashudu Mathivha of the Department of Correctional Services´ communication office in the Thohoyandou Management Area said he had not received an official report about the incident.