Three nurses from Appelsbosch Hospital in central KwaZulu-Natal are under investigation for alleged insurance fraud after claims emerged that they took out insurance policies on a deceased patient without the family’s consent.
The family of the late Nduduzo Mbatha has laid a criminal complaint against the health workers, prompting probes by both the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
According to KZN Health Department spokesperson Nathi Olifant, the nurses denied the allegations but refused to submit written statements when instructed to do so, later tendering their 24-hour resignations.
Olifant says the department has referred the matter to the SIU due to its seriousness and is cooperating fully with investigators.
He added that the department will not comment further while both the internal and criminal investigations are underway.