The family of 16-year-old Katlego Ledwaba and members of his local football club at Mogoto village in Zebediela, Limpopo are blaming nurses at Mogoto clinic for his recent untimely death.  

On the afternoon of February 12, the teenager complained of shortness of breath during practice with his teammates in the Zebediela Black Pirates football club at their grounds. 

At around five pm, he collapsed and lost consciousness, according to fellow players and the family. 

 “My grandson was taken to Mogoto clinic, just a stone’s throw from the football field by teammates and officials in their vehicle. They also sent word to the family and we immediately sent a relative to go and join them at the clinic,” Florence Ledwaba, Katlego’s grandmother, tells Health-e News. 

Refused care

Donald Motaung, chairperson of Zebediela Black Pirates FC says when they got to the clinic the nurses refused to examine Katlego who was unconscious at this point. Instead, they emphasised the clinic had already closed for the day.

“I then called an ambulance while our guys drove Katlego back to the playground to wait for an ambulance. The ambulance arrived around 6pm and paramedics attended to him on the spot. Sadly they told us he was no more, he had passed on. We then called the police and they came, and later the forensic pathology service personnel also came and collected his body.

“It was really a traumatic scene, we had never experienced something as terrible as this in our football club before,” Motaung recalls.

He believes that, as trained professionals, the nurses should have administered first aid to save Katlego’s life.  

Florence agrees.  

“We all know death is an eventuality but leaving a person unconscious at a clinic without even touching him is quite unimaginable, especially if you are a health professional.

“We are eagerly awaiting post-mortem results to know the cause of his death.”

Neil Shikwambana, spokesperson for the Limpopo Department of Health confirms that investigations into the incident are underway.

‘Department must take responsibility’

Lucky Phologolo, a community activist, says the circumstances surrounding Katlego’s death are a shame.

“Whatever the reasons, the Limpopo Department of Health should take responsibility. Nurses and security guards should come out and tell the family and the community the circumstances which led to the footballer not getting medical attention,” he says.

“Now the department officials are promising us that Mogoto clinic will offer 24-hour services soon. This is a good thing but why wait for something terrible to happen before the 24/7 services are implemented.” 

According to sources, the provincial department will implement 24-hour services at Mogoto clinic and extend working days to Sundays before the end of March.

Waiting for answers

A source tells Health-e News that department officials “are also contemplating meeting the affected family to formally offer condolences when they share the post-mortem results at a date not yet determined”.  

Department spokesperson Neil Shikwambana says while the clinic isn’t currently operating 24 hours a day, the matter will still be investigated. 

“The department will comment thoroughly on the issue once all statements are gathered and there is a report, even at the preliminary stage.” – Health-e News