‘State-sanctioned cruelty’: NC Health crisis sparks criminal charges, calls for compensation

OPPOSITION parties have called for swift action following the release of the damning findings by the Health Ombudsman into the neglect and deaths of psychiatric patients at health facilities in the Northern Cape.

The Congress of the People (Cope) has opened a criminal case of murder, attempted murder and/or culpable homicide against the management of the Northern Cape Department of Health, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital (RMSH) and the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital (NCMHH). The case was opened at the Kimberley police station on August 1.

Cope acting national chairperson Pakes Dikgetsi said the Health Ombud’s report painted “a horrific picture of systemic failure, lack of oversight and a shocking disregard for human life”.

"This legal step follows the disturbing findings of the Health Ombudsman, which confirmed that psychiatric patients 'froze to death' in state care due to negligence. Vulnerable patients who depended on public healthcare were left in terrible conditions. Those responsible should face criminal charges. What happened in these hospitals is more than just a tragedy. Two patients are dead. One lies permanently bedridden,” said Dikgetsi.

He said the tragedy was the result of poor management and long-standing neglect by provincial Health authorities.

“It is a crime, and it is hard to believe that in a democratic South Africa, patients in government care could die from exposure to the cold. We must act quickly to get justice for the victims and their families.”

Dikgetsi added that the head of the investigation team had committed to escalating the matter to their legal team and to the Hawks, in order to review the initial inquest docket and determine whether the two cases could be merged.

“Cope will closely follow the case to ensure the police and other authorities act quickly. The party is committed to good leadership, honesty and open government. Justice must be done, not just to respect those who died, but to make sure something like this never happens again. 

“The report exposes inhumane conditions — electricity outages lasting a year, broken resuscitation equipment and extreme weather exposure that contributed to patient deaths. At the heart of this crisis is leadership failure. It’s not just a matter of dysfunctional hospitals — it is a collapse of governance."

He pointed out that the provincial Department of Health had operated for years without a permanent head of department (HOD) or chief financial officer (CFO).

“Supply chain management processes are in disarray, replaced by a revolving door of acting officials who cannot deliver basic services, but move swiftly when tenders for corrupt security contracts arise. They saw no need to procure life-saving infrastructure and equipment,” Dikgetsi said.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) described the findings into the tragic deaths and substandard care of patients at the NCMHH and RMSH as “deeply disturbing” and called for compensation for the bereaved families, along with legal support provided by the state.

EFF provincial chairperson Shadrack Tlhaole said they would escalate the matter to the South African Human Rights Commission, the National Assembly and relevant portfolio committees to ensure that those responsible were held accountable and not “shielded from the consequences of their actions”.

“We will mobilise legal and community action to ensure that no further deaths occur due to incompetence,” said Tlhaole.

He pointed out that the Health Ombud’s findings exposed a “catastrophic collapse” of leadership, infrastructure, and basic healthcare standards under the current administration.

“This resulted in preventable deaths and untold suffering for vulnerable psychiatric patients. This is nothing short of state-sanctioned cruelty.” 

Tlhaole added that leaving patients in total darkness, without warm clothing, food, ablution facilities, emergency and resuscitation equipment, and failing to check their vital signs, showed a "complete disregard for the preservation of lives".

“This is not merely a clinical failure, but a collapse of political and administrative leadership. The Health Ombud revealed that health officials were instructed by the acting head of department to adopt a stance where he blatantly attempted to manipulate the investigation and obstruct justice. This is a violation of the National Health Amendment Act.”

He said the chronic use of acting officials and the failure to fill critical posts were “key drivers” of the disaster.

“Essential resources are misallocated or mismanaged — including the procurement of luxury furniture instead of medical equipment.”

Tlhaole added that these incidents were not isolated but reflected a broader collapse of the public health system.

He called for a forensic audit, covering the period from 2019 to 2025, into procurement processes and suspected financial mismanagement.

“The premier must ensure that the recommendations of the Health Ombud are implemented, that those responsible are held accountable, and that consequence management is rigorously enforced to restore public trust in the public health system.”

He further called on the National Treasury to intervene in addressing the collapse of infrastructure at health facilities.

“A national health task team must restore compliance with national norms and standards. The investigation must examine the role played by RMSH leadership and surgical teams in the lives that were lost.”

ANC provincial secretary Deshi Ngxanga said the party viewed the Health Ombud’s report in a “serious light”.

“Urgent and decisive action needs to be taken. The ANC in the province has engaged the MEC for Health, Maruping Lekwene. We have implored him to speedily act on all recommendations without fail,” said Ngxanga.

He expressed confidence that the Department of Health would take the necessary corrective steps to address all identified shortcomings and ensure a sustainable turnaround at both institutions.

“The ANC supports the decision by the MEC for Health to establish a provincial task team which will look deeper into the shortcomings and mitigate them — importantly, where necessary, apply consequence management.”

Ngxanga extended heartfelt condolences to the families who lost loved ones.

“We pray that throughout this process, God grants them renewed strength. Furthermore, the ANC will monitor the implementation of the resolutions closely and will continuously update the community on any new developments.”