KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has confirmed that the supervisor who was placed on precautionary suspension following the death of Dr Aluluto Mazwi at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital has not returned to work.

The 25-year-old was reportedly diagnosed with diabetes and died while on duty in May. It is alleged that he was instructed to report to work despite informing his supervisor that he was ill.

Dr Mazwi had been serving as a medical intern at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in uMlazi since July 2024.

The MEC said the department has been receiving many questions and has seen numerous comments on social media regarding the return of the supervisor.

“I wish to clarify that it is not true that the supervisor has returned to work. To date, no request has been made for the supervisor to resume their duties,” said Simelane.

She further explained that following the death of Dr Mazwi, investigations were initiated at various levels to establish the facts surrounding the incident.

She said the healthcare facility where Dr Mazwi was stationed rightfully undertook its internal investigation, while the KZN Department of Health simultaneously commenced a provincial investigation.

However, the MEC said that after the department instituted its investigation as a province, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi decided to launch a separate investigation and appointed the Health Ombudsman to lead this particular matter.

Simelane stated that the Ombudsman’s investigation supersedes all others; therefore, once the minister requests an investigation by the Health Ombudsman, all other investigations must be halted.

She said the department is still waiting for the findings and recommendations of the Health Ombud’s final report. “As matters stand, the investigation is not concluded.”

Simelane further noted that it is at the discretion of the Ombud whether previous investigative reports into their findings are incorporated.

“As late as last week Thursday, I was being interviewed by the Ombudsman on this particular matter, and so was the department,” said Simelane.

Thabisa Maqoqa, the mother of Dr Mazwi, said she was struggling to understand what happened to her son during a visit by a KZN delegation of government officials to the family in Mnquma, near Gcuwa in Butterworth, Eastern Cape, early this year.

“All I want is closure. My son showed no signs of illness or distress, and I just want to understand what happened. I raised him on my own, and it means a lot to have you here today,” she had said.

karen.singh@inl.co.za

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