Zulu nurse stays at his post despite locals’ threats

By Bongani Siqoko

East London – A defiant Bheki Masondo, one of a group of Zulu nurses under fire from locals after arriving to work at Zitulele Hospital in Mqanduli, has refused to bow to threats that he should quit his job and return home.

After Health MEC Bevan Goqwana asked all 21 of the nurses to take a week’s break and return to KwaZulu-Natal, Masondo was the only one who remained behind.

“I came here to offer my services and that is exactly what I am going to do. There are people here who desperately need my services as a nurse,” Masondo said.

A few days before they left, the nurses were rescued by the police after an angry mob bayed for their blood.

Goqwana cut short Wednesday’s executive council meeting to fly to Mqanduli. After meeting the community, Goqwana immediately enlisted the services of a private security firm to guard the nurses.

Despite all the drama, Masondo said he did not regret accepting a nursing post at this rural hospital and is not moved by threats on his life.

“Threats to our lives because we are not from around Mqanduli will not stand in the way of my serving,” he said.