By Tumelo Lecogo
20/12/2016
Jubilee Hospital Social Work Department has launched an operation to identify and locate family members of five unknown psychiatric patients in Jubilee District Hospital. Spokesperson of the hospital, Mr Moses Tlamama, said the hospital has been trying to locate the families of these patients but to no avail.
One of the patients, Mr Joseph Malinga, an epileptic patient has been in the hospital for the past 23 years and it is not certain if he is from Zimbabwe or Mozambique. He was last dropped by a girlfriend 23 years ago who disappeared. The patient cannot talk or walk and is wheelchair bound. When his ID verification was done there were no finger prints matching his.
Another patient, Mr Jama Mpumelelo, from Mthatha in Tsolo, was found naked by police on a railway in Hammanskraal and was brought to the hospital. The only family member identified is his Sister’s name Lonah who is believed to be staying around Sinenjongo Primary School.
The third patient is an unknown female who was brought by police to the hospital, in her late 40s or early 50s. Since her arrival she could not identify her place of origin.
Mr Thabo Seleple from Vosloorus was found by police wondering around Madedezi Day Care in Kekana gardens, Hammanskraal. He identified his family members as, Makie Selepe – mother, Lekaba Selepe – father, Lucky Selepe- brother.
The last patient, Mr Johannes Barron was brought to the hospital by EMS and he is from Enedale.
For more information members of the community can contact the Directorate: Communication and PR, Mr Moses Tlamama, Jubilee District Hospital, Tel: 012 717 9300/ 9520 Cell: 078 98 00 148, Email:moses.tlamama@gauteng.gov.za