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 has been admitted to hospital to be treated for post- traumatic stress disorder.
Dala’s statement, however, comes after a statement from the US chapter of PEN alleged she was under “pressure from members of  Durban’s Muslim community to recant and repent†for her statements expressing admiration for author Salman Rushdie.
We are deeply concerned for the well-being of novelist ZP Dala http://t.co/7pKvOT4q59@PENSouthAfrica
— English PEN (@englishpen) April 11, 2015
Following the statement from the US chapter of PEN, authors Salman Rushdie and Neil Gaiman were joined by activists in South Africa, including Zackie Achmat, in a chorus of concern for Dala’s welfare.
The English chapter of PEN also released a statement, which quoted Dala as saying: “I’ve been… drugged till I can barely walk… and basically broken down into a submission where I will follow the straight path (if there is one). I feel that the far-reaching damage to my kids will be severe as they attend schools that are 90% Muslim. And I refuse to educate them with fire and brimstone stories about how they may go to heaven but their beloved grandmother will burn in hellfire. That’s what they are teaching the kids now anyway. I have 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. I would look like a fool.†  According to Rushdie, Dala had contacted PEN repeatedly seeking assistance.Â
.@zpdala contacted PEN eleven times on Saturday asking for help.This is why I take her request seriously.More tomorrow I’m sure. Goodnight. — Salman Rushdie (@SalmanRushdie) April 12, 2015
Twitter, understandably, reacted with great outrage at Dala’s predicament. In the meanwhile, some people close to Dala sought to temper the fury with some reason.Â
.@laurenbeukes seems @PENamerican have gotten their facts mixed up. Just spoke to her. In hospital yes, but being treated for PTSD. @zpdala — Tess Sulaman (@tesssulaman) April 11, 2015
1/2 Out of concern 4 @zpdala i have said that she is not a mental patient. She is recieving treatment for trauma by her doctors @ hospital. — Lubna Nadvi | Durban (@LubnaNadvi) April 11, 2015
2/2 Further clarification on her condition must come directly from her and her family.
— Lubna Nadvi | Durban (@LubnaNadvi) April 11, 2015
These supporters of Dala questioned the report in the PEN statement.
before everyone rushes to assume @zpdala has been committed as some nefarious plot, can we wait & get facts? @SalmanRushdie@neilhimself
— Nechama Brodie (@brodiegal) April 11, 2015
What’s more, the South African legal system does indeed have safeguards in place. According to Dr Nabila Goga, writing on Facbeook, “The Mental health care act only allows involuntary admissions if an individual is a threat to themselves or others. It requires a 72-hour observation period before admission to a mental institute (which have to be public institutions) and a number of forms to be filled.â€
@khadijapatel A person deemed of unsound mind/unable to make own decisions can be taken to an observation facility… @brodiegal
— Karen Milford (@karenmilford) April 12, 2015
@khadijapatel and admitted without consent as long as person requesting admission signs the appropriate forms. @brodiegal
— Karen Milford (@karenmilford) April 12, 2015
@khadijapatel They are then to be observed for 72hrs by a trained professional at that facility after which the decision… @brodiegal — Karen Milford (@karenmilford) April 12, 2015
@khadijapatel …to admit for long-term psych care is taken by a psychiatrist. @brodiegal — Karen Milford (@karenmilford) April 12, 2015
@khadijapatel However theses facilities are are all state facilities: you can’t be involuntarily admitted to private. @brodiegal
— Karen Milford (@karenmilford) April 12, 2015
 It was, however, not until Sunday morning that Dala clarified her position in a series of tweets.
 T1: I am admitted to St.Joseph’s Psychiatric Wing it was diagnosed that I have PTSD. No, I was not dragged kicking and screaming here — ZP Dala (@zpdala) April 12, 2015
T2: I spoke to a religious leader as I was in turmoil and his views were that I be admitted here so I can reflect on my religion and imaan — ZP Dala (@zpdala) April 12, 2015
T3: I then reluctantly came in for admission and soon realised I won’t be left alone as a staff member recognised me and the news spread — ZP Dala (@zpdala) April 12, 2015
T5: Due to very strong meds and the people pointing and whispering I told the nurses to call my doctor and discharge me — ZP Dala (@zpdala) April 12, 2015
T6: I felt that I would be safer at home, especially with the journo’s etc calling non-stop. But my doctor was gone on leave and — ZP Dala (@zpdala) April 12, 2015
T7: it was understood that his locum ( a qulaified psychiatrist) herself could not authorise a discharge. She placed me on further meds — ZP Dala (@zpdala) April 12, 2015
T8 Hence I am here at St. Josephs and cannot be sent home until the doctor comes back. The wait, the reporters as well as the other patients — ZP Dala (@zpdala) April 12, 2015
T9:adds to my anxiety& paranoia. I know this: I need to get home.My husband is not FOR me being here, he just wants all this to just go away — ZP Dala (@zpdala) April 12, 2015
T10 After being harrassed by a journo about “The Satanic Verses” I admitted it befuddled me.He reported that I expressed admiration for it! — ZP Dala (@zpdala) April 12, 2015
Activist Zackie Achmat has apologised for treating the PEN statement as fact. He added, however: “I still condemn those in Durban and elsewhere who use Islam for reactionary politics. And, I still believe Muslim institutions must be challenged.â€
Dear FriendsPlease see the message from Lubna Nadvi. My apologies to Zainub Dala for accepting the statement of PEN as… Posted by Zackie Achmat on Saturday, 11 April 2015
@dbbovey Mental health and the processes around it are so easy to abuse. We can only hope the psychiatrist is not allowing abuse. — Karen Milford (@karenmilford) April 12, 2015