By BAKANG MOKOTO
30 July 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Health, Maruping Lekwene said they acknowledge receipt of the comprehensive investigation report from the Office of the Health Ombudsman regarding incidents at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital and Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital.
This comes after the Health Ombud released investigation findings into psychiatric patients in the Northern Cape hospitals. The health ombud, Professor Taole Mokoena said they were investigating the treatment, complications and deaths of psychiatric patients at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital and the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital.
Mokoena said this investigation addresses cases involving the death of two patients and inadequate medical care for another.
“The investigation was initiated following a complaint lodged by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi against the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital in Kimberley in October 2024. We found that the general care provided at the two institutions was ‘substandard’ with two patients dying and another left bedridden following brain surgery.
“These incidents occurred in July and August 2024, were investigated in terms of Section 81A (11) of the National Health Amendment Act, 2013. The report revealed gross mismanagement, failure to provide urgent medical care, lack of functional equipment, and extreme infrastructural deficiencies,” he said.
Mokoena further said one of the patients, Cyprian Mohoto, was transferred from NCMHH to RMSH on 13 July 2024, with a suspected abdominal obstruction. He added that the tests showed he had pneumonia, which went untreated for three days until his death.
“Another patient, Tshepo Mdimbaza was found unresponsive in bed at NCMHH on 3 August 2024. Resuscitation was delayed due to non-functional equipment. The resuscitation process was delayed due to the unavailability, malfunction, or unpreparedness of resuscitation equipment.
“A post-mortem determined he died from exposure to the elements. Petrus De Bruin collapsed at NCMHH on 30 July 2024, and was transferred to RMSH. The medical care and investigations conducted in the Emergency Centre were appropriate. However, the monitoring by nursing personnel was found to be inadequate,” he said.
Mokoena said the fourth patient, John Louw, was diagnosed with an acute subdural haemorrhage. He said Louw underwent craniotomy and craniectomy procedures and was returned to NCMHH on 28 October 2024.
“He currently remains bedridden,” said Mokoena.
Meanwhile, Lekwene said his department welcomes this thorough investigation by Mokoena. He said the department takes these findings very seriously and is committed to ensuring the highest standards of patient care and safety across all its healthcare facilities.
“We will be conducting a comprehensive study of the Health Ombudsman’s findings and recommendations. The department is committed to thoroughly studying all findings and recommendations contained in the report.
“Developing implementation plans to ensure accountability and transparency throughout this process. Prioritizing patient safety and quality of care in all our facilities
The department recognizes the critical importance of mental health services and the vulnerability of psychiatric patients,” said Lekwene.
He said they are dedicated to implementing necessary improvements to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Lekwene said his department once again extends its condolences to the families affected by these tragic incidents and reaffirms their commitment to providing safe, quality healthcare services to all residents of the Northern Cape.
The Guardian 