Niece of elderly lady handcuffed at hospital speaks to Breakfast
A shocking video was released on social media recently showing an elderly woman being handcuffed to a chair at a hospital. Her niece came in for a chat with Martin Bester to tell all.
Last week, South Africa was left stunned by the serious neglect and human rights violations suffered by 76-year-old Martha Marais. Marais was found by her family handcuffed to a chair in a state hospital in Mamelodi, Pretoria.
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Marais' daughter, Stephanie, posted a video of the incident on Facebook. She can be heard shouting: "This is my mother, man. This is not a dog. Is it right for me to come and find my mother like this? Is this right? She is 76 years old, and this is what you are doing to her!"
This is aunty Martha Marais, She is 76 years old. Nursing staff at the Mamelodi Hospital tied her hands behind her back and to these chairs, forcing her to to lay on the cold floor since Tuesday night. Whoever made this decision should be fired and serve a jail term pic.twitter.com/GwGVVrk0Yp
— Dj Jazzy D (@djjazzyd) May 30, 2019
Marais' niece, Virginia Keppler, joined Martin Bester to explain what happened, and what they saw when they got to the hospital.
"Her eldest daughter and other family members found her on the floor being handcuffed after they wanted to visit her," Keppler said.
Her daughter wanted answers, but the medical staff said that they were busy with a meeting.
"Doctors, nurses, and security guards saw her on the floor, but there were no answers," Keppler added.
Keppler also said that they didn't even help to take the cuffs off.
"She is at home and is seeing a psychologist," Keppler said.
Has this happened to a loved one of yours?
Let Martin Bester know in the comments section below.