The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) held a press briefing today in Kimberley following Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s statement that negligent nursing officials should be reported to professional bodies. The briefing comes in response to a damning report by Health Ombudsman Professor Taole Mokoena, which exposed systemic failures in psychiatric care at Kimberley Mental Hospital and Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, leading to patient deaths and permanent disability.
Denosa Rejects Scapegoating of Nurses
Denosa’s Northern Cape chairperson, Gilbert Sak, strongly defended nurses, arguing that they should not be blamed for systemic failures in the provincial health department. He expressed condolences to the families of the deceased but insisted that the tragedies were avoidable had leadership acted on warnings raised as early as 2022.
“Our members cannot be scapegoats for the failures of the Northern Cape Health Department,” Sak stated. “We marched to the premier’s office in 2022, highlighting these issues, but nothing was done.”
Leadership Failures and Lack of Resources
Sak blamed the provincial Health MEC and the Head of Department (HOD) for the crisis, citing chronic understaffing, lack of medical equipment, and unresponsive management.
“Some institutions don’t even have basic tools like thermometers or blood pressure monitors,” he said. “How can nurses provide proper care without resources?”
He called for the immediate removal of the MEC and HOD, accusing them of ignoring repeated pleas for intervention.
Disciplinary Action and Possible Legal Review
While Minister Motsoaledi recommended disciplinary action against implicated nurses and doctors, Sak criticized the move as premature, arguing that leadership should face consequences first.
“The minister is putting the cart before the horse,” Sak said. “Why is there no talk of disciplining the HOD and MEC?”
Denosa is considering legally challenging the Ombudsman’s report and may pursue criminal charges, though Sak emphasized a preference for dialogue to resolve systemic issues.
Appeal for Urgent Intervention
Sak urged national and provincial authorities to declare the Northern Cape a “province of special needs,” calling for increased nursing training slots and better oversight. He also appealed to communities to understand the challenges faced by under-resourced healthcare workers.
“We need urgent intervention. This province cannot continue like this,” he said.
Ongoing Fallout
The Health Ombudsman’s report has intensified scrutiny on Northern Cape healthcare, with families of victims demanding accountability. Meanwhile, Denosa’s stance signals a deepening rift between frontline workers and health officials, as calls grow for a complete overhaul of provincial health management.
