Londiwe Buthelezi
8 July 2026
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has appointed a team of 16 experts to review departmental HR policies dating back to 1994, following the release of a joint Health Ombud investigation into the deaths of six health professionals at KwaZulu-Natal public hospitals.
The probe examined the deaths of intern doctor Alulutho Mazwi and Dr Francis Idika, based at Umlazi’s Prince Mshiyeni Hospital and Vryheid Hospital respectively, who died weeks apart last year – along with four other KZN medical professionals: Dr Tumelo Kgaladi (Addington Hospital), Mvelo Cele (Port Shepstone Hospital), Siyabonga Zulu (Ngwelezane Hospital), and Dr Ngidi (Benedictine Hospital). At the time, it was widely claimed that workplace bullying, victimisation and intimidation had contributed to the deaths.
Presenting the findings in Pretoria, Health Ombud Professor Taole Mokoena said the investigation found no evidence linking any of the six deaths to workplace bullying, victimisation or adverse working conditions.
“This is an important finding because much of the public discourse pointed to workplace factors that directly cause these deaths,” Mokoena said.
Motsoaledi had ordered the independent investigation after 25-year-old Mazwi’s death, which was alleged to have followed a supervisor instructing him to continue working during a weekend shift despite reporting that he was ill. Mokoena addressed this directly, saying Mazwi became ill at his hospital residence and was rushed to hospital, where he was declared dead.
“The most likely cause of his death is pulmonary embolism from deep vein thrombosis,” Mokoena said. “Importantly, the investigation established that the social media messages alleging that he had informed his superior that he was unwell but was instructed to report to duty regardless were a fabrication.” He added that Mazwi was known to have uncontrolled diabetes.
Despite clearing the hospitals of direct responsibility for the deaths, Mokoena stressed the findings did not mean the health system was free of serious problems. The investigation uncovered significant systemic issues affecting healthcare workers, including ongoing staff shortages, frozen vacant posts, excessive workloads, resource constraints, shortages of medical equipment and supplies, infrastructure in disrepair, inadequate employee wellness support, and security concerns.
Responding to these findings, Motsoaledi said his department was already acting on the underlying issues. He confirmed he has appointed a 16-member expert panel to review HR policies that have been in place since 1994.
“We are living in a different era,” he said. “[We want] to find out what is the effect of these policies on some of these occurrences about shortages and all that – what policies have we put [in place] that need to be changed?”
The panel is currently conducting its review, with Motsoaledi saying he expects to receive its first report this month.
