Durban – The Health Ombud has found no evidence of a direct link between the deaths of six healthcare professionals in KwaZulu-Natal public hospitals and poor working conditions.
The findings come despite widespread public concern over workplace bullying, victimisation and systemic challenges in the province’s health sector.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, Health Ombud Professor Taole Mokoena said the investigation was launched following public allegations that the deaths were connected to adverse working conditions in public hospitals.
He said the probe sought to establish the facts surrounding the deaths and determine whether there were any common factors, systemic failures or workplace conduct that may have contributed to the fatalities.
“The purpose of the investigation was not only to establish the facts surrounding the deaths, but also to determine whether there were any common factors, systemic failures at the workplace, together with the conduct that contributed to these deaths,” Mokoena said.
The investigation covered the deaths of healthcare professionals at Addington Hospital, Port Shepstone Hospital, Wentworth Hospital, Vryheid Hospital, Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital and Benedictine Hospital in Nongoma.
[WATCH] Health Ombud Professor Taole Mokoena says investigations found no evidence that deaths of health professionals in KZN hospitals was linked to working conditions, bullying or victimisation at the workplace. pic.twitter.com/9eZzIynB9Y
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 8, 2026
According to Mokoena, the investigation was conducted independently and objectively, without fear, favour or prejudice.
The Ombud’s office carried out site visits and interviewed hospital management, healthcare professionals, interns, labour representatives and support staff. Investigators also reviewed documentary evidence, hospital records, human resources practices, employee wellness programmes and disciplinary records in line with applicable legislation and regulations.
“Our responsibility was to establish objective facts, not influenced by the clamour that was in the public and social media platforms,” Mokoena said.
He said the investigation found no evidence that workplace bullying, victimisation or adverse working conditions directly caused the deaths of the six healthcare professionals.
“The investigation found no evidence pointing to a direct causal link between the deaths under the investigation and workplace bullying, victimisation, adverse working conditions at any of the facilities concerned. However, this is an important finding because much of the public discourse pointed to workplace factors that directly caused these deaths,” he said.
Mokoena also addressed the findings relating to the death of Dr Dumelo Khaladi, a 31-year-old doctor who died while serving as a registrar at Addington Hospital.
He said the investigation established that Dr Khaladi died at his residence and was not on duty at the time of his death.
The Ombud found that Dr Khaladi had a history of mental health challenges before being placed at Addington Hospital on rotation in the obstetrics and gynaecology department. According to Mokoena, this information had not been disclosed to the hospital.
WATCH | Health Ombud Professor Taole Mokoena says their investigations show the deaths of six healthcare professionals in public hospitals across KwaZulu‑Natal were not linked to bullying or systemic failure. pic.twitter.com/QI6AlQjrDC
— SABC News (@SABCNews) July 8, 2026
“The investigation could not establish any causal link between his death and the workplace conditions,” Mokoena said.
He added that there was circumstantial evidence suggesting carbon monoxide poisoning, but noted that the final cause of death remains the subject of ongoing inquest proceedings.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
