EIGHTEEN Northern Province hospital workers appeared in the Ramokgopa magistrate’s court on Wednesday in connection with stealing medicine and hospital supplies. The seven nurses, five assistant pharmacists, five general workers and an ambulance driver from Botlokwa Hospital in Soekmekaar, 50 km north of Pietersburg, were not asked to plead on charges of possession of stolen property. Another 18 officials were arrested at Jane Furse Hospital for theft of medical supplies and linen, while another 14 were arrested at Mankweng Hospital, near Pietersburg, for allegedly stealing medicine, linen and other supplies. Another 15 officials from Lebowakgomo and Groothoek hospitals have been suspended from work for theft of medical supplies. The court cases are all pending. – African Eye News Service