Murder of nurse is 'barbaric' and 'cruel', says KZN health MEC

KwaZulu Natal health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo has described as "barbaric" and "cruel" the murder of an Edendale Hospital nurse who was shot dead in front of her parents‚ allegedly by her husband‚ on Sunday morning.

“This is too barbaric. It is cruel and insensitive. We mourn the loss of this professional. Working in the maternity unit requires a certain kind of human being with honourable qualities‚ such as understanding and a caring attitude‚ emotional and mental strength‚ patience and maturity. We are not surprised to hear from Sister Dlamini’s colleagues that she was a good nurse‚” Dhlomo said.

“This is a huge loss. It is painful. But we know that our loss cannot be equated to the sense of loss and pain that is being experienced by her family. We offer our deepest condolences. We will try to visit the family‚ to try and comfort them during this difficult period.”

It is alleged that Ntombizodwa Charlotte Dlamini (40) and her husband had an altercation on Saturday‚ which resulted in her being severely assaulted and injured.

On Sunday morning‚ she went to work despite having suffered injuries.“However‚ her colleagues discovered that she was not well and she was eventually seen by a private doctor. She left for her parents’ home afterwards. It was there that her husband arrived‚ stormed inside and found her sitting in the dining room‚” the health department said.

“It is alleged that he then demanded that she comes home with him. She refused and ran into one of the bedrooms and tried to lock herself inside. But he followed her‚ shot at the door‚ kicked it down and then shot her several times in front of her mother‚ father and brother.”

He then fled the scene and is yet to be arrested.

Dlamini was a mother to two boys aged eight and 11 and started working as an enrolled nurse in 2006‚ after being trained at Michaelmas Nursing College.

“Due to her good work ethic‚ she was seconded for professional nurse training at Greys Hospital‚ which she underwent from January 2010 for 4 years. She worked as a community nurse from January 2014‚ and was translated to a professional nurse in January 2015. She had worked in that position for the past three years‚” said the health department.