Why must we beg for a signature to open a case?

KOMANI – A local woman and her fiancé are living in a nightmare of intimidation after staff at Frontier Hospital allegedly failed to complete a J88 medical form required to open a criminal case.

The incident began on 18 December when the man was brutally assaulted. Following standard legal procedure, the couple visited the local police station to obtain a J88 form, which must be completed by a medical professional to document injuries as evidence for the South African Police Service (SAPS).

However, nearly three weeks later, the couple is no closer to seeing justice.

“We went there and were told to leave the J88 and that we would be called to come fetch it,” the frustrated fiancé told Komani News. “When we followed up, we were told the doctor responsible was unavailable.”

The couple claims they have been met with “stories” and excuses during multiple visits to the hospital. At one point, after threatening to escalate the matter to the media, they were given a phone number to call—but no one has contacted them.

While the paperwork sits unsigned, the victim remains at risk. The couple alleges that one of the perpetrators is now harassing and saying “nasty things” to the victim, knowing that no legal action has been taken yet.

“How is it our duty to call them? They are the ones who are supposed to do their jobs,” the woman said. Without the completed J88, the police cannot formalise the assault charges, leaving the suspects walking free in the community.

Frontier Hospital has been approached for comment regarding the delay in processing medical-legal documentation but got no response at the time of this publication.