Picture: Witrand Specialised Hospital in Potchefstroom
By REGINALD KANYANE
28 August 2026 – The North West Department of Health is under fire after a patient who went missing from the Witrand Specialised Hospital in Potchefstroom, found dead. The patient allegedly went missing from the facility in the early hours of Wednesday, 26 August 2026.
The deceased was a well-known patient of Witrand Specialised Hospital who had been admitted to the facility since 22 June 2023, and was receiving care in Female Ward 3.
The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari said according to the hospital management, during the early morning bathing routine in Ward 3, personnel noticed that the patient was no longer in the ward. Lehari said the staff immediately searched the various blocks within the hospital premises and alerted security personnel after establishing that the patient could not be located.
“An immediate search was conducted in and around the hospital premises, but the patient could not be found. The search continued until hospital management was informed that a person matching the description of the missing patient had been found lying along Promosa Road next to the graveyard.
“Upon arrival at the scene, it was regrettably confirmed that the person was the missing patient. The patient’s family was immediately informed of the death,” he said.
Lehari expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“On behalf of the North West Department of Health, I wish to convey our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased during this extremely difficult time. We recognise that no words can adequately ease the pain of losing a loved one under such circumstances.
“We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and assure them that the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident will be thoroughly investigated,” said Lehari.
He further urged members of the public to allow the investigation to take its course and cautioned against speculation while the facts are being established. Lehari added that the public and all stakeholders must refrain from speculation or drawing conclusions before the investigation has been completed.
“The department takes the safety, dignity and wellbeing of patients in our care very seriously. We will carefully examine what happened, identify any shortcomings that may emerge, and take appropriate action based on the findings of the investigation.
“The department has initiated an investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the patient’s abscondment and subsequent death. Further information will be communicated once the investigation has progressed sufficiently and it is appropriate to do so,” he concluded.
The Guardian 