Health Ombud launches investigation into ‘heartbreaking' death of medical intern at KZN hospital
South African Health Ombud Professor Taole Mokoena has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a medical intern at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal.
The investigation, opened at the request of Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, will focus on determining the events leading up to the death of Dr Alulutho Mazwi (25), a newly diagnosed diabetic, on 12 May 2025. Mazwi was allegedly forced to report for work despite informing his superiors he was not well, and later collapsed during his shift.
'We extend our deepest condolences to Dr Mazwi's family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. This investigation aims to provide clarity and closure for those affected, helping them understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident,' stated Mokoena.
The Health Ombud's investigating team will also be evaluating the working conditions and support systems for medical interns and other health professionals at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital; identifying any systemic issues or lapses in protocol that may have contributed to Mazwi's death; and providing recommendations to prevent similar occurrences in future.
Ricardo Mahlakanya, the spokesperson for the Health Ombud, told Daily Maverick that the estimated period for completing the investigation was six months.
'Heartbreaking' loss
In a petition calling for justice for Mazwi, seemingly started by his romantic partner Lindokuhle Phathekile, he is described as a 'dedicated and compassionate' healthcare professional.
'Despite being visibly ill and battling a chronic condition, he continued to serve his patients selflessly. His unwavering commitment highlights the passion and dedication he had for his profession and the wellbeing of his patients,' states the petition.
'It's a grievous situation that Dr Mazwi, who should have been resting and recuperating, was compelled to work under such strenuous conditions. This tragedy not only highlights the dire working conditions faced by healthcare workers globally, but also underscores the necessity for implementing adequate workplace health policies that safeguard the wellbeing and safety of medical professionals.'
In the petition, Phathekile calls for accountability for Mazwi's death, and the introduction and strict enforcement of improved health policies to prevent 'such heartbreaking incidents'.
Suspension of supervisor
Dr Zanele Bikitsha, the provincial chairperson of the South African Medical Association (Sama) in KwaZulu-Natal, said that the organisation had met with management at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital and demanded the precautionary suspension of the supervisor implicated in Mazwi's death. She confirmed that the supervisor had since been placed on suspension.
In that meeting, Sama also requested an independent investigation into the incident.
'We then asked, because we know [the incident is] not isolated, that they must have a meeting with all department heads that are [responsible] for intern training in their department, so that as management, they put them on [the same] page about what they will accept when it comes to the way that they handle interns,' said Bikitsha.
'We've also agreed to be part of the solution by training the interns on their rights when it comes to internship… from a labour perspective and also from a Health Professionals Council perspective.'
Bikitsha said that the challenges and pressures facing medical interns were not unique to Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital. Not only were interns at the bottom of the medical hierarchy in health facilities, she explained, they also relied on their supervisors to 'sign for competency' in their logbooks, making it difficult for them to speak out against those overseeing their duties.
'The number one thing that we think is going to be a game changer is for the national Department of Health and the Treasury to get on the same page about staffing. Doctors, whether it's interns, [medical officers], registrars or consultants, are currently overseeing more than the safe working norm by the World Health Organization. Therefore, you cannot expect, in a situation like that, for quality to come out. The Department of Health and the Treasury need to come together about funding posts within the health system so that this doesn't happen,' said Bikitsha.
'Broader systemic rot'
In a statement released by the trade union Public Servants Association, it was noted that Mazwi died after allegedly being pressured by his supervising consultant to work while 'critically ill'.
'His deteriorating health was visible, yet he continued to work and collapsed during his shift and tragically passed away,' stated the association.
'This devastating incident is a culmination of what the Public Servants Association has consistently warned the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health about, related to inhumane working conditions, autocratic leadership and abuse of power at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital. The association has previously picketed and delivered memoranda to the head of department and the MEC for health, raising serious concerns about ill-treatment of staff.'
According to the Public Servants Association, many doctors and healthcare workers across KwaZulu-Natal continue to suffer due to 'hostile, exploitative and toxic management', often working under 'impossible conditions without support'.
'Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital is emblematic of a broader systemic rot that continues unchecked,' said the association.
The Public Servants Association led a picket outside the hospital on Tuesday, 20 May, at which its KZN spokesperson Mlungi Ndlovu told SABC that they were calling for an investigation into Mazwi's death by the Department of Employment and Labour, as well as the Health Ombud.
'It is the view of members that the province, in terms of the health system, has collapsed. Now is the time for change, and it is the voices of [our] members that are saying 'we are tired',' said Ndlovu.
Daily Maverick reached out to the KZN Department of Health about Mazwi's death and the subsequent investigation. Its response will be added when it becomes available.
In a statement released by the KZN Health Department on 14 May, it said it was 'shocked and deeply saddened' by the death of Mazwi and three other medical professionals in the province within a short period of time. The deaths were all separate incidents involving health workers from different facilities.
'It has been truly devastating to learn of the deaths of these young, talented
professionals at four of our healthcare facilities. They were individuals who not only contributed immensely to our healthcare system, but also embodied the spirit of service, compassion, and leadership. Their potential to shape and mentor future generations has been cut short, and we are heartbroken by this loss. On behalf of the department, I extend heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, and colleagues,' said Nomagugu Simelane, the KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC.
The department said it would continue to support the affected institutions and families.
According to the Health Ombud's press release, the death of a doctor at Vryheid Hospital in KZN was also referred to the ombud for investigation recently. The referral came from Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, chair of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health.
'The two complaints mentioned in the press release are the only ones brought to the Ombud's attention by the minister and the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, and we have not yet started [an investigation],' Mahlakanya told Daily Maverick.
'However, the Ombud will enquire with the KZN Health MEC regarding other incidents that might have been brought to her attention. All these complaints will be combined and investigated systematically.' DM
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
8 hours ago
- The Citizen
Residents prevent foreigners from accessing healthcare at local clinics
SHARPEVILLE.- The Sharpeville and Vereeniging community has embarked on what they call 'a campaign' to stop foreign nationals from being attended to at their clinics. The community has seemingly followed what an organisation called 'Dudula' is doing, mostly in the Johannesburg area, where foreigners are prohibited from getting any healthcare service. Investigating, Sedibeng Ster has discovered that the community members take turns to monitor patients at the clinics, barring foreigners from entering the premises and getting treatment or being attended to. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster on condition of anonymity, for obvious reasons, community members said that the clinics are overflowing with foreigners while the people of South Africa are struggling to get service. 'It is purely because of that that the community has taken this action. We have had it with the situation, and we have decided to take a stand, checking all foreigners.' Foreigners, who Sedibeng Ster asked for comment about the situation, refused to speak to 'papers' about the tense situation. 'No organisation is doing or funding this; the community just decided to take a stand because they are fed up,' a community member said. The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) said that it is aware of incidents where patients are obstructed from accessing healthcare, and that where there are reports of people who prevent others from accessing health services, the incidents are always reported to the law enforcement agencies, such as the police, who always respond swiftly to deal with the issues. 'The Gauteng Department of Health reported the matter to law enforcement agencies that are custodians of maintaining law and order.' 'In addition, the department remains committed to providing healthcare services to everyone irrespective of their nationality,' said Motalatale Modiba, GDoH's head of communication Modiba said that what the community is doing is not legal. 'We continue to appeal to communities not to take the law into their own hands but to allow constitutionally mandated institutions to be the ones that enforce the law.' Sharpeville police spokesperson, Constable Busisiwe Sango, said there have not been any cases (of threats) reported to them; however, they are monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, the residents of Vereeniging have also joined in the 'campaign'. A video circulating on social media shows them preventing foreign nationals from entering the Market Street Clinic in Vereeniging, demanding South African documentation.
IOL News
9 hours ago
- IOL News
The next step after beating cancer? Reclaiming identity through hair restoration
For many survivors, the next chapter is about restoration: rebuilding confidence, reclaiming identity, and, sometimes, rediscovering joy in the mirror. Image: Thirdman/pexels For anyone who's walked the long road through cancer, survival is a word that means everything. But making it through treatment, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery is only part of the story. For many survivors, the next chapter is about restoration: rebuilding confidence, reclaiming identity, and, sometimes, rediscovering joy in the mirror. In South Africa, cancer touches thousands of families every year. According to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), cancers like breast, prostate, colorectal, and skin cancer are among the most common, with over 100 000 new cases reported annually. While medical advances save more lives than ever before, the emotional and physical scars can linger. One of the most visible and emotionally charged reminders of cancer is hair loss. Why hair loss hurts so much Losing your hair during cancer treatment isn't just about looks. It can feel like losing a part of yourself, your identity, your femininity or masculinity, your privacy, your sense of normalcy. As Dr Kashmal Kalan, medical director at Alvi Armani South Africa, puts it: 'This isn't about vanity. It's about healing the whole person. Even after treatment ends, survivors often see someone in the mirror who still looks like a patient. That can make it hard to reconnect with the person they were before cancer.' Why does hair fall out during cancer treatment? The answer is both simple and scientific. Chemotherapy and radiation attack rapidly dividing cells. While this helps kill cancer, it also harms healthy cells that grow quickly, like those in our hair follicles. The result? Hair may thin, recede, or fall out entirely, sometimes never regrowing the same way. A study published in "Psycho-Oncology" found that hair loss ranked as one of the most distressing side effects, especially for women. Losing your hair during cancer treatment isn't just about looks. It can feel like losing a part of yourself, your identity, your femininity or masculinity, your privacy, your sense of normalcy Image: Michelle Leman /pexels Restoration is more than cosmetic For survivors like Cindy Pretorius, a basal cell carcinoma survivor, hair restoration was the last step in her healing journey. After surgery left her with visible scarring along her hairline, she received a minimally invasive hair transplant at Alvi Armani South Africa. And she's not alone. For many, regaining hair is about reclaiming self-worth, dignity, and a sense of hope not just for themselves, but for loved ones who've walked the journey beside them. A game-changing initiative for South African survivors In August, CANSA and Alvi Armani are launching a powerful new initiative: free, personalised hair restoration consultations for cancer survivors. Whether you've just finished treatment or are years into remission, this program offers scalp assessments, checks for lingering treatment effects, and, where needed, advice on restorative treatments or even hair transplants. The goal is to make world-class care accessible to South Africans, regardless of background or income. Alvi Armani's advanced techniques, like the Vitruvian and Maximus follicular unit extraction (FUE), are used in their clinics from Beverly Hills to Johannesburg, ensuring survivors here receive the same expert care as patients abroad. 'People who've overcome cancer deserve more than just a life saved. They deserve the chance to live it fully, with confidence and joy,' explains Kalan. There's real evidence that restoring hair can help restore lives. Research from the Journal of Clinical Oncology shows that persistent hair loss after treatment can fuel anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. For some, hair regrowth is slow or incomplete, making it hard to move forward. He adds, 'Hair is a part of how we express identity. By restoring it, we help people feel like themselves again, more confident to re-enter public life, apply for jobs, or socialise without feeling marked by illness.' How to get involved If you or someone you love is a cancer survivor in South Africa, you can contact Alvi Armani South Africa directly and mention your CANSA affiliation for a complimentary consultation. The program also features information sessions at CANSA events, like Relay For Life and the CANSA High Tea, bringing expert advice and support to survivors nationwide. Makoma Raolane, CANSA's Sustainability Manager, sums it up perfectly: 'Healing also means restoring dignity, self-confidence, and quality of life. Our partnership with Alvi Armani reflects our commitment to holistic survivorship care.' Survival is about more than beating cancer. It's about living again, fully and freely, no longer defined by scars, but by strength.
The South African
11 hours ago
- The South African
Runner Moira Harding won't return to Comrades
The story of Comrades runner Moira Harding gripped the nation earlier this year after she went missing after finishing the ultramarathon in Durban, before being found in a critical condition. The 54-year-old spent several days in hospital undergoing intensive treatment, and was eventually discharged after making what was described as a miraculous recovery. Towards the end of June, The South African revealed that Harding has made encouraging recovery progress in her recovery, while she has confirmed to IOL that she has no plans to return to run the famed the endurance race again next year. 'I went missing at the end of the Comrades Marathon and was found 15 hours later, unconscious and unresponsive due to severe dehydration and extremely low sodium levels resulting in disorientation and delirium,' she explained in an emotional personal message posted on a runners community group. Harding also shared a debt of gratitude to all those who assisted, supported and cared for her during 'one of the toughest moments' of her life. 'I would like to sincerely thank all those who supported me and prayed for me when I went missing… Your love and prayers carried me through one of the toughest moments of my life.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
