The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) in the Free State has condemned the brutal assault and sexual harassment of a 60-year-old professional nurse who works at Thusanong Hospital in the Lejweleputswa District. The union says the incident occurred while the nurse was on duty and that she suffered both physical injuries and psychological trauma.
Union to oppose bail at Odendaalsrus court
NEHAWU announced plans for a demonstration at the Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court on 14 August 2026, when court proceedings relating to the alleged perpetrator’s bail application are scheduled to take place. The union will march to make a direct submission to the Chief Magistrate, urging that bail be refused.
"Granting bail would be a betrayal of justice and a slap in the face of every health worker who risks their life daily in service of the community," NEHAWU said in its statement.
The union framed the attack as an assault not only on the individual nurse, identified in the statement as Comrade Jane Taeli, but on all health workers who face violence in their workplaces. NEHAWU noted that Taeli, a long-serving employee of the Department of Health, was due to retire in September 2026, and said the assault had deprived her of a dignified end to a lengthy career.
Demands to the MEC for Health and the Department
NEHAWU said it will hand a memorandum of demands to the Free State MEC for Health during the planned action. The union calls for comprehensive measures to protect staff and support the injured nurse.
- Immediate and decisive protection for health workers against violence in the workplace;
- Accountability from the Department of Health for any failures to safeguard employees;
- Comprehensive support for the assaulted nurse, including medical, psychological and financial assistance.
NEHAWU described the attack as "barbaric" and said members would not allow the perpetrator to "walk free" if bail is granted.
Local context and implications
Incidents of violence against health workers are a growing concern nationally and provincially. Hospitals and clinics in the Free State have previously reported assaults on staff, disputes over security arrangements and limited resources for safety measures. Unions and staff organisations argue that inadequate security, staff shortages and overcrowding can increase the risk of violent episodes.
For patients and staff at Thusanong Hospital, the incident may add to anxieties around safety and workforce morale. When a worker due to retire after decades of service is attacked in the workplace, it can also affect colleague morale and retention, union representatives say.
What to expect at the court and practical information
The Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court will handle the accused’s bail application on 14 August 2026. Members of the public who wish to observe should note that courts control access and seating; priority is given to legal representatives and parties to the case. NEHAWU intends to present a memorandum to the MEC for Health on the same day.
| Event | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Bail application hearing | 14 August 2026 | Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court |
| Union march and memorandum handover | 14 August 2026 | Outside Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court / MEC for Health office |
Members of the public who are concerned about safety at health facilities can raise issues with their facility managers, local ward councillors or labour representatives. NEHAWU’s public campaign highlights the union route for seeking redress and the role of the Department of Health in strengthening protections for staff.
At the time of NEHAWU’s statement, details of the accused’s identity, the precise circumstances of the assault and any charges had not been set out in full by police or court records released publicly. The union’s notice signals that labour mobilisation and criminal justice processes will run in parallel in the coming days.
The dispute will be closely watched by health-sector employees across the province and by local officials expected to respond to the union’s memorandum. How the Department of Health and the courts act in the coming days will shape whether staff feel safer and whether unions believe formal protections are being meaningfully strengthened.
— Free State correspondence
