The Mpumalanga Department of Health (DoH) is investigating the death of another woman after being admitted to Matikwana Hospital in Mkhuhlu, near Hazyview, to give birth.

Tintswalo Mokoena (38) of Cunningmoor B in the Bushbuckridge Municipality died at Matikwana Hospital on Tuesday, January 20.

Her death marks the second woman to die at the hospital under similar circumstances within just over two weeks.

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Nsuku Nicolette Mahlalela (28), also from Cunningmoor B, died at the hospital on Sunday, January 4, shortly after giving birth to a baby boy, who is currently in the care of his mother’s family.

Mokoena’s newborn baby girl has since been discharged from the hospital with the assistance of social workers.

The DoH has confirmed that it is investigating both incidents and insisted that these maternal deaths are isolated cases.

There is public confidence, hence our deliveries are high for a district hospital,” said DoH Mpumalanga spokesperson, Dumisani Malamule. “Sometimes contributory factors are beyond the hospital’s control, which is of concern to the department.”

Nsuku’s family is currently weighing legal options and intends to file a lawsuit against the DoH.

“After all the conversations that we had with the hospital authorities, we do not doubt that the department has a case to answer. We want justice to prevail for my sister,” said Nsuku’s brother, Siyabonga Mahlalela.

“We have recorded most of the incriminating evidence from what they told us, including their confirmation that they had forgotten to feed the newly born baby for five hours. This shows negligence on the part of the hospital,” Siyabonga added.

Mokoena’s family could not be reached for comment.