The Health Ombudsman has confirmed that it is finalising its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of medical intern Dr Alulutho Mazwi.
The Ombud was appointed by the Minister of Health to probe the matter after the 25-year-old doctor died while on duty at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi in May last year.
Mazwi’s death triggered widespread public outrage, with health unions calling for urgent reforms in the public health sector. Allegations emerged that he had been forced to continue working despite being ill, even after informing a supervisor of his condition.
Hospital management later said there was insufficient evidence to directly link a senior doctor to Mazwi’s death.
Health Ombudsman spokesperson Ricardo Mahlakanya said the final report would be released once the investigation is concluded.
“The report into Prince Mshiyeni Hospital, particularly the death of the intern doctor at the hospital, will be released once the probe has been concluded,” Mahlakanya said.
Speaking to Newswatch shortly after his nephew’s death, Vumani Mazwi said the family had noticed that Alulutho was unwell when he was called back to work the week before he died. Out of concern, his mother drove him from the Eastern Cape to Durban.
Mazwi added that his nephew had previously missed several family ceremonies, including funerals, because of his demanding work schedule.
“He’s the only child of his mother and father. At 25, only starting his professional career, and this happened. I’m short of words. We are really devastated. This is a blow,” he said.
He described Alulutho as ambitious and driven, with big dreams for the future.
“He was always an ambitious man, one of those brilliant children. He was not a talkative person, but he set his sights very high. At some point, he wanted to be an engineer,” Mazwi said.
The findings of the Ombudsman’s report are expected to shed light on accountability and working conditions for junior doctors in the public health system.