Investigations into Durban medical intern’s death continuing

The KwaZulu-Natal Health Department says investigations into the circumstances leading to the death of Dr Alulutho Mazwi are continuing. The 25-year-old medical intern died while on duty at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi in May.

A senior doctor at the hospital, who was Mazwi’s supervisor was immediately suspended after reports that he ignored his requests for time off. It was alleged that he instructed the young doctor to report for duty despite having been told that Mazwi was not feeling well.

Now leaked details of an internal report say an investigation allegedly found insufficient evidence linking the senior doctor to the Mazwi’s death. But provincial Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane says the probe is continuing.

“The minister also decided that he is going to institute an investigation and in his case, he decided the Ombudsman who must investigate this particular matter. Once the Ombudsman representing the Minister or requested by the minister to investigate that therefore means that all other investigations that have been instituted will be superseded by the investigation of the Ombudsman. So as matters stand today the investigation is not completed because the Ombudsman is still busy.”