ZP Dala Treated for PTSD in Durban Hospital Amid Reports of Further Abuse
After reports emerged on Saturday alleging that Durban based author ZP Dala was forcibly institutionalised, the author has herself released a statement clarifying that she continues to be admitted to hospital to become treated for Post traumatic stress disorder (ptsd). Dala's statement however comes after a statement of facts from the originial and US chapter of PEN alleged she was under "pressure from constituents of Durban's Muslim community to recant and repent" for her statements expressing admiration for Salman Rushdie.Implementing the statement from the originial and US chapter of PEN, authors Salman Rushdie, Neil Gaiman were challenged activists in South Africa, like Zackie Achmat, within the chorus of concern for Dala's welfare.
Dala was quoted as saying: "I have been ... drugged till I am able to barely walk ... and mainly divided into your submission where I will follow the stright path (in case there is one). I feel which the far-reaching damage to my children will certainly be severe simply because they attend schools which get 90% Muslim. And I refuse to teach them fire and brimstone stories about how exactly they seem to proceed to heaven but their beloved grandmother will burn in hellfire. That's what they are actually teaching the little ones now anyway. Relating to also been harangued to withdraw, dissect, explain and renounce my admiration of [Rushdie's] works. I could just as easily burn my Oscar Wilde collection because some homophobes came calling. I can't turn back now and pretend I never admired his writing. It would be ok to appear as if they will be fool." As per Rushdie, Dala had contact PEN repeatedly seeking assistance.
.@zpdala contacted PEN eleven times on Saturday inquiring for help.Because of this I take her request seriously. More tomorrow You'll probably. Goodnight. -- Salman Rushdie (@SalmanRushdie) April 12, 2015
Twitter, understandably, reacted with great outrage at Dala's predicament. In the meanwhile a number of people not far away from Dala sought to temper some purpose into the fury.
.@laurenbeukes seems @PENamerican have gotten their facts necessitated. Just spoke to her. In hospital yes, but being treated for PTSD. @zpdala -- Tess Sulaman (@tesssulaman) April 11, 2015
1/2 Out from concern 4 @zpdala i'll just use announced she actually is not really a mental patient. She s recieving treatment for trauma by her doctors @ hospital. -- Lubna Nadvi | Durban (@LubnaNadvi) April 11, 2015
2/2 Further clarification on top of her condition must come directly from her and her family. -- Lubna Nadvi | Durban (@LubnaNadvi) April 11, 2015
These friends of Dala had contradicted the report in the PEN statement.
before everyone rushes to suppose @zpdala has actually been committed as some nefarious plot, is it possible to wait & get facts? @SalmanRushdie@neilhimself -- Nechama Brodie (@brodiegal) April 11, 2015
What's more, the South African legal system does indeed have safeguards in position.As per Dr Nabila Goga, discussion of Facbeook, "The Emotional health care act only allows involuntary admissions if an individual is basically a threat to themselves kinds. It entails a 72 hour observation period before admission to a mental institute (which have to get public institutions) along with a range of forms to be filled."
@khadijapatel Any individual deemed of unsound mind/unable to make own decisions can be land to an observation facility... @brodiegal -- Karen Milford (@karenmilford) April 12, 2015
@khadijapatel and admitted without consent so long as person requesting admission signs the suitable forms. @brodiegal-- Karen Milford (@karenmilford) April 12, 2015