The family of Mandisa Zomndeni Hlophe, who reportedly passed away eight days after giving birth at La Verna Private Hospital, says they have now handed the matter over to lawyers due to suspected negligence by the doctors and the hospital.

Mandisa reportedly underwent multiple surgeries following C-section delivery

Speaking to the Ladysmith Gazette, Mandisa’s sister, Nondumiso Dube, explained that she had been using La Verna Private Hospital throughout her pregnancy journey.

“She was admitted to the hospital in March and doctors informed her that her blood pressure was not normal, but they managed to stabilise it,” said Nondumiso.

She explained that Mandisa later gave birth successfully to a healthy baby girl and was discharged from the hospital. However, on the same night after returning home, she struggled to sleep and noticed that her stomach was becoming swollen.

“We then took her back to the hospital, where she stayed for a couple of days. She had an open C-section because doctors were waiting for the skin to close,” she said.

Nondumiso said that Mandisa underwent several surgeries, one after another. Unfortunately, she did not survive. On April 9, she died.

Family waits for medical records and postmortem findings

Following the tragic death, tensions allegedly arose between the deceased’s husband and the doctors, as the husband believes something went wrong during her stay at the hospital, especially since the baby was born healthy.

The family said a postmortem examination was conducted and several findings were made, although they are still waiting for the official medical records from the hospital.

Legal action initiated against hospital and doctor

Nondumiso said the family has since decided to file a lawsuit and are hoping the hospital will co-operate with them as the investigation continues.

They have launched a massive social media campaign against the hospital, under the banner of #justice4zomndeni

Response from hospital

Lenmed and its hospitals are bound by the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), the National Health Act, and strict patient confidentiality obligations. As such, we are unable to comment on any alleged patient matter, including disclosing or discussing any patient-related information publicly.

Patient safety, quality of care, and clinical governance remain of paramount importance across all Lenmed facilities. All concerns relating to patient care are treated with the seriousness, sensitivity and empathy they deserve, and are managed through established clinical governance, quality assurance and review processes in line with applicable healthcare regulations, ethical standards and internal protocols.

Lenmed maintains robust clinical governance frameworks, multidisciplinary oversight structures, credentialing and peer review processes, and ongoing quality monitoring mechanisms to support the delivery of safe, ethical and patient-centred healthcare.

In line with the private healthcare environment in South Africa, medical practitioners practicing at Lenmed facilities are independent practitioners and are not employees of the hospital.

Lenmed will co-operate fully with relevant authorities, in line with applicable laws and regulations, and in the best interests of our patients and their families, if required.

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