21 June 2006
The controversy surrounding the Ndlebe baby whose body went missing at
Natalspruit hospital is being resolved.
Results of the DNA tests conducted on the Ndlebe and Mazibuko families have
now proven that the child who was given to the Mazibukos and was subsequently
buried in KwaZulu-Natal did not belong to the family.
The body of the Mazibuko baby is still in the hospital mortuary and will be
given to the family to bury. It is now believed that the buried child is the
missing Ndlebe twin.
The department has made arrangements to exhume the body of the buried child
and return it to Gauteng. DNA tests will be conducted on the remains of the
baby to determine conclusively if he is the missing twin.
While the incident remains deeply regrettable it is encouraging that the
Ndlebe family will finally have closure.
The department has supported the Ndlebe family ever since the saga started.
Mrs Ndlebe has been provided with psychological counselling and was regularly
briefed about progress on the investigations.
As a preventative measure the department has decided to further reduce water
temperatures in all maternity units in the province to avoid the burning of
babies during bathing.
This follows the burning of baby Dimpho Hanyane in Sharpeville last month. A
final report on the incident has been received and it recommends that
disciplinary action be taken against those implicated.
The department is already acting on the recommendations and strict
guidelines on the cleansing and care of newborn babies.
Regarding the incident at Tara hospital where a psychiatric patient alleged
that she was raped, the department has concluded its investigations. The report
has been forwarded to the Mental Health Review Board for its consideration.
Disciplinary action has also been initiated against the nurse implicated in
the incident. The department has also decided to reassign the hospitalâs chief
executive officer and the nursing service manager to other duties outside the
hospital. The two officials are no longer on suspension.
Enquiries:
Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 551 9892
Tel: 011 355 3505.
Issued by: Department of Health, Gauteng Provincial Government
21 June 2006
