
Union demands answers after doctor dies on duty
The Public Servants Association of South Africa have called for heads to roll after a doctor allegedly died on duty at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi, Durban. Alulutho Mazwi was a medical intern in the hospital's Pediatrics department.
Speaking to The South African, PSA spokesperson in KZN Mlungisi Ndlovu said, 'Our thoughts are very clear, doctor Alulutho Mazwi's death would have been prevented if the department had listened to us when we handed over a memorandum in August (2024) and also in February (2025). They failed to take action'.
In the memorandums drawn up by PSA in August 2024 and February this year, they accused the Department of Health of human rights violations. They said at the time Prince Mshiyeni Hospital had water supply issues, lack of equipment, medication deficits and staff shortages.
Ndlovu said he believed staff shortages at Mshiyeni hospital were a possible reason why Mazwi was at work on the day of his death.
Speaking to The South African he said, 'We demand a full investigation on how these interns are ill-treated and other frontline workers'.
A former doctor at the hospital, Sbonokuhle Khumalo, took to TikTok to sound the alarm on Dr Mazwi's case. Khumalo claimed that she served her internship at Mshiyeni hospital. She said she knew very well how toxic the pediatric department could be.
According to Khumalo, Dr Mazwi was ill and had requested for time off from work. She alleges that his sick leave request was denied. In a statement, the Department of Health acknowledged claims that Mazwi was facing health challenges.
Screenshots purporting to be a WhatsApp message exchange between Mazwi and his superior have since been leaked, allegedly by Mazwi's family, on social media.
This message, which the South African has not yet independently verified, was allegedly written by Mazwi. It reads, 'Good morning Doc, I'm not feeling well today. Apologies for the inconvenience caused to the team.' A response to the text reads, 'I expect you to be on duty.'
Mazwi's colleagues, have since shared the screenshots across various social media platforms. They allege it was a response from his supervisor.
In response to the allegations, Ndlovu said, 'We demand that the supervisor involved must be placed on precautionary suspension'.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, expressed his deepest condolences to Dr Mazwi's family. He vowed that his office was investigating the matter that led to Mazwi's death.
Dr Dhlomo said, 'We recognise the immense loss felt by the hospital staff, who witnessed the intern's struggle and the impact of systemic failures in our healthcare system. It is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by our medical professionals, especially those just beginning their careers. Their commitment to healing and care should never be compromised by preventable circumstances.'
'As we mourn this loss, we must also reflect on the urgent need for reform within our healthcare system. We cannot afford to lose more young lives to preventable incidents',Dhlomo continued. .
He said it was crucial that the department works together to ensure that medical interns and professionals are provided with the necessary support, resources and an environment to thrive.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
Industry says scientific innovation could reshape the tobacco landscape in South Africa
South Africa ranked 60th out of 158 countries, 'indicating moderate resistance to illicit trade, but with notable vulnerabilities in areas such as supply chain control and enforcement' capacity. Image: Supplied The government in South Africa and elsewhere on the continent has been urged to consider scientific evidence and innovation when coming up with policies and regulations for the tobacco industry. As experts highlight the dangers associated with tobacco consumption, players in the industry are pushing for the adoption and 'proper regulation of smoke-free nicotine' products. Industry players are basing their approach on scientific innovation and data pointing to tobacco harm reduction through adoption of what they are calling "safer nicotine products" that are smoke-free. This comes at a time when smoking and tobacco consumption is on the increase across Africa, sharply contrasting other developed regions where trends are pointing to a decline in smoking. Nonetheless, Branislav Bibic who is Philip Morris International vice president for Sub-Saharan Africa, on Tuesday said tobacco consumers in South Africa 'are following global trends as they are embracing new' categories that are smokeless. 'Our experience in South Africa is that once these products are made widely available at an accessible price, and consumers are provided accurate information about their benefits, we see a significant switching from cigarettes to smokeless products,' Bibic said at the Technovation Summit in Cape Town. 'Our estimates in South Africa show that already around 20% of the South African legal cigarette market has been replaced by non-smoking products.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Among the sharp differences between the government of South Africa and the value chain industry for tobacco are issues related to the proliferation and best practices in addressing illicit trade. The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) has criticised the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill for overlooking 'key realities' on the ground, arguing that the legislation has to stamp out illicit trade in goods and substances. In oral presentations to the parliamentary portfolio committee this month, the CGCSA - which represents companies spanning consumer goods, retail and services sectors - said the tobacco products legislation currently lacks measures to root out the 'unchecked black market and its impact on legal industry value chain and public revenue' flows. Although in South Africa there is currently contested debates over the Tobacco Bill that seeks to bundle together regulation of tobacco cigarettes and smoke-free nicotine products, PMI believes that it will be easy to roll-out these products elsewhere across the continent. This is, however, dependent on these markets putting in place clear and conducive regulatory frameworks. 'Africa can address the smoking epidemic. Let's choose innovation and science and we can help millions of Africans move over to a future free of smoke,' Bibic said.


Daily Maverick
9 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
The Delivery That Couldn't Wait — And Why Businesses Trust DPD to Make It Happen
At 7:15 am on a chilly Tuesday in Johannesburg, a lab technician at one of the city's busiest private hospitals placed an urgent call. A vital piece of diagnostic equipment had failed overnight. Without it, hundreds of blood tests — some linked to life-threatening conditions — would be delayed. The replacement component was sitting in a courier depot 25 kilometres away. But standard delivery would take hours — time the hospital simply didn't have. That's when DPD got the call. Within minutes, a driver familiar with the hospital's emergency procedures was dispatched. Real-time tracking kicked in. Staff at the hospital could see the parcel's journey in real time, all the way to the lab door. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads By 9:00 am, the component was installed. Testing resumed. Lives were potentially saved. In Business, Not Every Delivery Is Just a Parcel Across South Africa, situations like this unfold every day — in hospitals, law firms, banks, engineering firms, government departments, and more. And in a world where precision, security, and speed matter more than ever, businesses are rethinking what they expect from a courier partner. DPD has built its reputation by delivering not just parcels, but peace of mind — becoming a trusted name for specialist deliveries where failure simply isn't an option. Built for South Africa's High-Stakes Sectors Some deliveries can wait. Some can't. DPD specialises in the latter. By blending global logistics expertise with a deep understanding of South African business needs, DPD supports industries where trust, security, and accountability are paramount. Healthcare: Every Second Counts When DPD handles deliveries, they know what's at stake. Whether it's transporting stethoscopes, over-the-counter medication, or medical equipment, DPD's courier solutions are engineered for absolute reliability in time sensitive situations. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads With real-time tracking, secure handling, and highly reliable drivers, DPD helps hospitals and labs operate without fear of disruption. Legal: Protecting Confidentiality South Africa's top legal firms trust DPD to move sensitive legal documents where discretion and security matter most. Court filings, contracts, and confidential paperwork are protected by strict chain-of-custody protocols, with trained drivers and real-time status updates ensuring that nothing goes astray. Financial: Safeguarding Core Operations In finance, security and compliance can't be compromised. DPD works with banks and financial institutions to transport everything from negotiable instruments to sensitive reports, using advanced security systems and regulatory-compliant procedures. It's not just about moving parcels — it's about protecting a business's most valuable information. Beyond the Boardroom It's not just healthcare, legal, or financial sectors that need trusted courier partners. From architects sending blueprints, to engineering firms moving sensitive components, to government departments ensuring document integrity — DPD brings the same standard of excellence to every delivery. Why More South African Businesses Are Choosing DPD Here's why a growing number of South African businesses — large and small — are making the switch to DPD: advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads 1. Real-time tracking that works Clients and their customers know exactly where their parcel is, from pickup to delivery. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads 2. Personal service Every delivery matters. Whether it's a legal brief or a hearing aid, DPD treats each item with the care and urgency it deserves. 3. Global capability, local touch Backed by a global network, but with a relationship-driven local service ethos, DPD drivers often become known and trusted partners for clients. 4. Industry-specific solutions From healthcare to finance to eCommerce, DPD offers customised delivery models to suit each sector's unique needs. 5. Reliability you can count on When things go wrong — and sometimes they do — DPD's proactive communication and ownership of issues build genuine trust with clients and their customers. Final Word: Why Settle for 'Good Enough'? If your current courier partner is causing delays, stress, or reputational risk, now is the time to rethink. With DPD, you gain a delivery partner that understands the critical role logistics plays in your business success. From life-saving medical deliveries to secure legal and financial shipments, DPD helps South African businesses operate with confidence. Because sometimes, a delivery isn't just a delivery. It's the difference between success and failure — or between life and death. DM advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads Author: Charn Needham, DPD correspondent


The Citizen
9 hours ago
- The Citizen
Hospital seeks public's help to locate families of two deceased patients
Hospital seeks public's help to locate families of two deceased patients The Madadeni Regional Hospital is urgently appealing for public assistance in locating the families of two deceased patients identified as Zeaneth Mthembu and Mandla Kunene. According to the hospital's Public Relations Department, Zeaneth Mthembu was a 28-year-old female, and she passed away on February 25. 'She was referred to us by Newcastle PHC Clinic on February 21. We have tried to trace her family by sending our community health workers to Bothaspass Farm but have not been able to find them,' said the hospital's public relations officer. Mandla Kunene was a 63-year-old male, and he passed away on December 2, 2024. The hospital has tried phoning his daughters, known as Slindi and Zanele, but neither of their cellphone numbers appear to be working. If you know Zeaneth Mthembu and Mandla Kunene or are able to assist in locating their relatives, please contact the Madadeni Provincial Hospital Public Relations Department on 034 328 8043/8133 or email The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and request an add on our WhatsApp (082 874 5550). At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!