Monkeys at the RK Khan Hospital in Chatsworth, Durban, run amok among sickly patients, steal their food and even assault them.
The monkeys have become a curse, terrorising patients and sometimes attacking those who are bedridden.
Some of the patients posted a video this week of a group of monkeys that were all over a ward, jumping and stealing the belongings of the patients who were unable to protect themselves.
There are fears the monkeys might spread diseases to the patients.
In the video, one of the female patients is heard screaming in disbelief as she sees monkeys taking patients’ bags and belongings.
This week’s incident comes after the National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) complained in March about the KwaZulu-Natal health department’s failure to remove the monkeys from the hospital.
The union had suggested that the SPCA be involved in devising a mechanism to remove the monkeys.
Nehawu KZN secretary Ayanda Zulu told reporters the monkeys at the hospital have been a challenge for years.
“We even had a march in the last quarter of 2023 about the issue because it is not acceptable for monkeys to be inside wards where there are people who are seriously sick. I am sure the SPCA can come up with mechanisms to keep the monkeys out of the hospital,” he said.
Health department spokesperson Nathi Oliphant told Scrolla.Africa he was waiting for more details from the hospital before responding.
His response had not been received by the time of publication.
Pictured above: Lawless monkeys are terrorising patients at the RK Khan Hospital in Durban.
