Ambulances parked outside a public hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. A Health Ombud investigation found no direct link between the deaths of six healthcare professionals and workplace conditions, but identified significant systemic challenges affecting public health facilities.
Health Ombud Professor Taole Mokoena has found no evidence that workplace bullying, victimisation, or poor working conditions directly caused the deaths of six healthcare professionals in KwaZulu-Natal public hospitals, despite widespread public concern and allegations that emerged following the deaths.
The findings, released on Wednesday following a joint investigation by the Office of the Health Ombud and the Public Service Commission, concluded that while no direct causal link could be established, the investigation uncovered serious systemic challenges across the provincial public health system that require urgent intervention.
The probe was launched after complaints by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and former parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health chairperson, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, following a series of deaths involving doctors and other healthcare workers in KwaZulu-Natal.
"The investigation found no evidence pointing to a direct causal link between the deaths under investigation and workplace bullying, victimisation, or adverse working conditions at any of the facilities concerned," Mokoena said during the media briefing.