JOHANNESBURG - The Health Ombud has found no evidence linking the deaths of six healthcare workers at KwaZulu-Natal public hospitals to their working conditions.
The investigation examined the deaths of hospital staff members in May last year, including Dr Tumelo Kgaladi of Addington Hospital, Dr Alulutho Mazwi, an intern at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, Mvelo Cele, a radiographer at Port Shepstone Hospital, Dr Siyabonga Zulu of Ngwelezane Hospital, Dr SI Ngidi of Benedictine Hospital, and Dr Francis Idika of Vryheid Hospital.
The report found that Kgaladi died at his residence while off duty.
The investigation also found that he had a history of mental health challenges before being placed at the hospital as a registrar on rotation in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department. These challenges had not been disclosed to the hospital.
Health Ombud Taole Mokoena said the investigation could not establish a direct link between Kgaladi's death and conditions at his workplace.
"The investigation could not establish any causal link between his death and the workplace conditions," Mokoena said.
In Mazwi's case, the investigation found that he did not die while on duty. Instead, he became critically ill late in the evening while at his residence.
The investigation also found that a WhatsApp message circulated on social media, purportedly sent by Mazwi, along with the alleged response from his supervisor, was fabricated.
In the now-confirmed fake WhatsApp message, Mazwi purportedly requested to be excused from work because he was not feeling well, and the supervisor allegedly denied the request.
However, the investigation found that intern doctors are often reluctant to lodge complaints because they fear victimisation by senior doctors.
The investigation found that Cele died of natural causes. An autopsy confirmed cardiac arrest as the cause of death.
"The investigation could not establish a causal link between Mr Cele's death and his working conditions or other systemic issues within the KZN Department of Health," Mokoena said.
The report said that 28-year-old Zulu died in a motor vehicle accident about 25 kilometres from Ngwelezane Hospital. He was officially off duty at the time of the crash.
Ngidi died in a reported suicide at his rented apartment outside Benedictine Hospital.
The death of Nigerian doctor Francis Idika was also investigated.
The Health Ombud found that Idika died of natural causes while off duty but on the hospital premises.
"The allegation that Dr Idika committed suicide because of stress, victimisation and bullying by his superior at Vryheid Hospital is unsubstantiated," Mokoena said.