Media Statement_HO Investigation Findings into deaths of Healthcare Professionals in KZN Public Hospitals

Wednesday 8th July , 2026

MEDIA STATEMENT

For Immediate Release
8 July 2026

To All Editors and Health Journalists

HEALTH OMBUD RELEASES FINDINGS ON INVESTIGATION INTO A SPATE OF DEATHS OF
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN KWAZULU-NATAL PUBLIC HOSPITALS

The Health Ombud, Prof Taole Mokoena, has concluded an extensive investigation into a
series of deaths involving doctors and other healthcare professionals in public hospitals
across the KwaZulu-Natal Province.

The investigation followed complaints lodged by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi
(MP), and the then Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr
Sibongiseni Dhlomo, amid public concern and widespread media coverage of the deaths
of healthcare workers in the province.

The investigation examined the circumstances surrounding the deaths of six healthcare
professionals at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, Addington Hospital, Port Shepstone
Hospital, Ngwelezane Hospital, Benedictine Hospital and Vryheid Hospital. It also assessed
whether systemic challenges, with working conditions or workplace factors, contributed to
any of these deaths.

The Health Ombud found no evidence linking the deaths directly to workplace bullying,
victimisation, or adverse working conditions in the hospitals under investigation. However,
the investigation identified significant systemic challenges affecting healthcare
professionals across all the aforementioned health establishments. Among the key findings,
the investigation confirmed that:

• Dr Alulutho Mazwi, a medical intern at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, did not die
while on duty, as widely reported. Dr Mazwi had been suffering from uncontrolled
diabetes. He became critically ill one night while at his hospital doctors’ residence
and was rushed to the hospital medical emergency room, where he was
pronounced dead on arrival. The investigation found that social media messages
alleging he had been instructed to report for duty despite being ill were fabricated.

• Dr Tumelo Kgaladi of Addington Hospital died at his residence. The investigation
found that he had a history of mental health problems, which he had not disclosed
to the authorities. There was circumstantial evidence that he could have died of
carbon monoxide poisoning. The investigation could not establish a causal link
between his death and his working conditions. The final determination of the exact
cause of death remains the subject of a forensic South African Police Service (SAPS)
inquiry and inquest.

• Mr Mvelo Cele, a radiographer at Port Shepstone Hospital, died while on duty. An
autopsy confirmed he died of cardiac arrest. There is no evidence linking his death
to workplace conditions.

• Dr Siyabonga Zulu of Ngwelezane Hospital died in a motor vehicle accident while off
duty. There is no link between his death and his work environment.

• Dr S.I. Ngidi of Benedictine Hospital died after ingesting rat poison while off duty. The
investigation found that he had been implicated in a fraudulent birth registration.
Weaknesses in document control systems lead to fraudulent behaviour. The Health
Ombud investigation found no direct link between his death and workplace
conditions. The case of fraudulent registration of a birth is currently under SAPS inquiry.

• Dr Francis Idika of Vryheid Hospital died of natural causes from a ruptured aortic
aneurysm. The investigation found no evidence to support allegations that he died
by suicide due to workplace bullying or victimisation.

While no direct causal link was established between the deaths and working conditions, the
investigation identified serious systemic concerns across several health establishments.
These include persistent staffing shortages, frozen vacant posts, rising workloads, shortages
of medical equipment and supplies, inadequate employee wellness support services,
infrastructure challenges, and security concerns affecting healthcare workers.

The investigation also found that many healthcare professionals, particularly interns,
experience significant pressure to avoid taking sick leave due to concerns about extending
training rotations and increasing other colleagues’ workloads. In some facilities, employee
wellness and support services were found to be under-resourced and unable to adequately
meet staff needs. The Health Ombud further noted that ongoing budget constraints within
the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health have contributed to staffing shortages and
resource limitations, negatively affecting both healthcare workers’ morale and service
delivery. The Chief Executive Officers in a number of hospitals are not medically trained. This
creates a conflict of authority within these establishments.

The Health Ombud has made several recommendations to strengthen employee wellness
programmes, improve staff support systems, address security concerns, enhance oversight
and accountability, and ensure compliance with the prescribed norms and standards for
healthcare establishments.

The report’s findings and recommendations will be referred to the Office of Health Standards
Compliance (OHSC) for monitoring and implementation as per Statutes. The Health Ombud
will continue to work closely with the OHSC to ensure that the recommendations translate
into meaningful improvements in healthcare worker well-being, patient safety and the
quality of care.

Prof Mokoena and his staff extend their condolences to the families, colleagues and
communities affected by these deaths. The investigation underscores the need to create
safe, supportive and adequately resourced working environments for healthcare
professionals and to ensure that public healthcare establishments continue to deliver
quality services to all healthcare users.

The comprehensive report, which includes details of the findings and recommendations
from the investigation, will be available on the Health Ombud website
at www.healthombud.org.za.

End.

Issued by the Health Ombud.
Media Enquiries | Ricardo Mahlakanya | Cell: 066 473 8666