A patient at Tshilidzini Hospital, who went missing from his ward, was found dead in what is suspected to be a suicide by hanging.

According to Vhembe SAPS spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi, the deceased, Hago Kabobs (21), a foreign national of Ethiopian origin, was admitted to the medical facility on Monday, 6 November, as he was not feeling well. When the family came to visit him at the hospital that same day, he was nowhere to be found in his ward. A search ensued and only on Thursday, 9 November, was his body found in an old disused psychiatric ward at the hospital, where he had hanged himself.

“The man was still wearing his hospital gown. No foul play is suspected. We have since opened an inquest docket,” said Dathi.

Mr Thilivhali Muavha, spokesperson for Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba, said the department had received the unfortunate news from the hospital with great sadness. “We extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased. The matter has been reported to the South African Police Service for investigation while, as a department, an autopsy will be conducted to establish the exact cause of death.”