Burn victim allegedly threw himself out of the hospital window

The 50-year-old man had been hospitalized four days prior to the incident in which he allegedly threw himself out of a toilet window.

Police are investigating claims that a man committed suicide in a Free State hospital.

The 50-year-old patient allegedly threw himself out of a third-floor window on Thursday.

The man was a burn patient in the hospital

Free State Ministry of Health Spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said on Friday that management had been alerted to a lifeless body at Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital at around 7am the day before.

“It was confirmed that a 50-year-old male patient from Botshabelo was admitted to the Burn Unit of Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital on Sunday, November 3, 2024,” Mvambi said.

“This burn unit patient walked down the stairs from the seventh floor until he found an open men’s room on the third floor with an open back window and he threw himself down in what appears to be an act of suicide.”

The spokesperson said according to hospital staff, the man showed no signs of emotional distress and therefore did not require any attention beyond the medical treatment he received for burns.

“His next of kin have been informed of this unfortunate incident and law enforcement authorities are handling the matter.”

Free State MEC for Health Monyatso Mahlatsi said it was an unfortunate incident and sent the department’s heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of the deceased.

“We would like to take this opportunity to urge and encourage men to speak out and seek help if they feel that the pressures of life and personal circumstances are becoming too much to bear,” he said .

Suicide is much more common among South African men than women

Earlier this week, an expert said something needed to be done to address the fact that South African men are four to five times more likely commit suicide than women

“We need a breakthrough in men mental healthespecially for the countless boys and men who lack the emotional support needed to face life’s challenges,” says Jaco van Schalkwyk, founder of The Character Company (TCC), a non-profit organization that supports boys growing up without a father.

“There is a chronic lack of emotional well-being among the boys and men of the country.

“While our suicide statistics speak for themselves, this crisis is also reflected in the high rates of crime and violence, gender-based violence (GBV) and the substance abuse epidemic in South African communities,” he said.

Van Schalkwyk added that some South African cultures still largely expect boys to suppress emotions, reinforcing outdated ideas about masculinity that leave little room for vulnerability or mental wellbeing.

Additional reporting by Lineo Lesemane.