Police in KwaZulu-Natal are investigating a case of rape where an incapacitated patient was allegedly raped at a Pietermaritzburg hospital.

However, the provincial Department of Health has denied that the incident took place.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Captain Ntathu Ndlovu said the incident was being investigated by Town Hill police.

“Townhill police are investigating a case of rape following an incident that allegedly happened on Monday, 9 June 2025 at a hospital in Pietermaritzburg, where a woman aged 29 was allegedly raped by an unknown suspect. Investigations are ongoing,” said Ndlovu.

Department of Health spokesperson Ntokozo Maphisa said there is no evidence to support a claim of sexual assault.

“This matter has been thoroughly investigated. Based on an urgent investigation, including interviews with all nursing staff who were on duty at the time, as well as other interventions that we are not at liberty to disclose to the media due to their clinical nature, there is no evidence whatsoever to support the claim of sexual assault,” said Maphisa 

Maphisa said a formal meeting was subsequently held with the patient’s family, during which the findings of the investigation were presented.

She said the family accepted the department’s explanation.

A source at the hospital said the alleged victim was incapacitated and another patient had raised the alarm by contacting authorities.

willem.phungula@inl.co.za

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