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 South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
Does Takealot sell weight loss wonder drug Ozempic?
E-commerce site Takealot has rubbished viral reports that it is selling Ozempic, the wonder weight loss drug that has taken the world by storm. The injectable – which contains the active ingredient Semaglutide – is only available via a doctor's prescription. On the X app, several users have posted claims that Takealot was selling Ozempic to the public without a prescription. One – ApheleleJody – even posted a screenshot of a picture of the words: 'Semaglutide: Once a week weight loss injections'. However, Takealot quickly shut down the speculation. Clarifying that the image was merely from a book about weight loss, and not the Ozempic itself. 'It's purely informational, not medical advice or a substitute for professional care. Happy shopping', the e-commerce site posted. While Takealot has disputed claims it sells Ozempic, another e-commerce site, Zulzi, confirms it does. The grocery and pharmacy online shop – which dispatches as little as 15 minutes – has repeatedly claimed that it stocks and delivers the pricey weight loss drug. As a disclaimer, it added on its X account: 'Just to be clear – Ozempic is prescription-only. We've got a qualified doctor + pharmacist onsite at our Paulshof offices. Consult, get your script, upload it in-app & we'll deliver in minutes'. 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.
The Star
21 hours ago
- The Star
Public Protector refutes Zimbabwean Human Rights Commission claims on healthcare access
Siyabonga Sithole | Published 1 week ago The Office of South Africa's Public Protector, Kholeka Gcaleka, has refuted claims made by the Zimbabwean Human Rights Commission (ZHRC), which insisted that it has engaged her office over issues affecting South African-based Zimbabwean immigrants. This comes as foreign nationals, including Zimbabwean nationals, are being barred from accessing healthcare, with Operation Dudula revealing that it will be intensifying its efforts against illegal immigrants, with a campaign aimed at preventing undocumented immigrants from accessing public schools in the new year. Operation Dudula and March and March movements have spent the past few weeks preventing undocumented immigrants from accessing healthcare services across public clinics and hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng due to the alleged strain this has caused on South Africa's limited healthcare services. However, in a statement on Monday, Gcaleka refuted these claims, saying her office has not received any correspondence from ZHRC. "Following numerous media inquiries, the Public Protector South Africa (PPSA) wishes to clarify that it has no record of a complaint lodged by the Zimbabwean Human Rights Commission (ZHRC), concerning the denial of Zimbabwean nationals' access to healthcare services in South Africa," the PP stated. Gcaleka revealed that she had previously hosted ZHRC in 2024, where various issues of benchmarking were discussed, and her office shared some information on this matter. However, the parties never discussed any other issues outside this. "Rather, the discussions were about, among other things, the state of healthcare systems in both countries. Accordingly, PPSA also referred to its own investigation into the state of the healthcare system in South Africa as a guide to investigate the same in its own country. "We are, therefore, surprised by reports in the media about discussions, which purportedly occurred recently, and were centred around matters relating to Zimbabwean nationals being denied access to healthcare services in South Africa; neither do we have a record of a complaint of that kind," Gcaleka stated. Meanwhile, last week, Zimbabwe's Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi stated that the Zimbabwean government will not cover the medical bills of its citizens in South Africa. ZHRC chairperson Jessie Majome, however, insisted that South Africa has a responsibility towards other African countries, as South Africa benefited from the humanity of these countries during apartheid. 'Also, on the South Africa side, we need increased understanding of the needs of people and nations. During the Struggle for South Africa, countries including Zimbabwe hosted South Africans who were there not because of their own making. That humanity and ubuntu that we Africans have should continue to pervade and lead such discussions because at the end of the day, we are one people," she told Newzroom Afrika on Monday. [email protected]
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
HEALA campaigns for clear warning labels
IN a country where diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes are rife, knowing the contents, and salt and sugar levels of the food that you are eating could not be more important. This is the argument of the Healthy Living Alliance (HEALA) which has embarked on a series of roadshows to raise awareness on front-of-packaging labelling, with their next stop being The Workshop in Durban on Monday and Tuesday. The organisation is calling on the South African government to ratify regulations that make it mandatory for foods high in salt, sugar and saturated fat to carry a clear warning label on the front of packages. HEALA CEO Nzama Mbalati said the campaign is about raising awareness while the petition fights for the people of SA. He said, 'Some packaged foods put us at risk of dangerous, life-altering illnesses. South Africans have the right to understand the ingredients in the food they eat. For many consumers, back-of-pack labels are complicated and difficult to read, making it nearly impossible for people to choose healthier alternatives.' A study released by Public Health Nutrition said low-income South African adults consume, on average, 40% of their calories from ultra-processed products. The BMJ Journal found direct links between lengthened exposure to ultra-processed foods and heart disease deaths, poor mental health, obesity and diabetes. Also Read: KZN Health MEC encourages healthy living in Heart Awareness Month HEALA believes that consumers need to be empowered to make informed, and healthier decisions when buying food – especially when trying to identify healthier options. Mbalati said the Department of Health has had almost two years to ratify the R3337 (formally referred to as the Draft Regulation Relating to Labelling and Advertising of Foodstuffs published by the SA National Department of Health on April 21, 2023) and has failed to do so. 'Regulations will make it easier for us to readily identify foods that are bad for our health and choose better for ourselves. We urgently need easy-to-read warning labels that highlight the dangerous contents in some of these packaged foods,' said Mbalati. 'South Africans have been waiting since the conclusion of the public consultation process on September 21, 2023. Time is up, our health is on a steady decline, and we are vulnerable to predatory food manufacturers that prioritise profit over the wellness of the masses.' HEALA called on all South Africans to add their voice to the call for the Department of Health to protect public health by signing the petition at For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
