Family fumes as body goes missing from Montobella Hospital in Ndwedwe
Family of Nokuthula Zungu demands answers as her body mysteriously vanishes from a KwaZulu-Natal hospital, sparking fears of foul play.
Image: RUSA
IT will be a bleak Christmas for the family of Nokuthula Zungu whose body has gone missing from the Montobella Hospital mortuary in Ndwedwe, outside of Verulam.
They are demanding answers from the Department of Health on the whereabouts of her body and how it went missing from the hospital - causing further trauma and inconvenience during their time of grieving.
According to Zungu's family, Nokuthula, 42, was admitted in hospital in August and they were told of her death via a phone call on Friday, December 12.
Zungu's in-laws, Nelisiwe Bhengu and Mathombi Bhengu, said they received a call from a man claiming to be from the hospital, who informed them of Nokuthula's death and requested a meeting at their home.
"We didn't agree because all we wanted was to see our daughter. They even called us again the next day," said Mathombi Bhengu.
They were told to report to the hospital on Monday, 15 December, with their IDs.
At the hospital, they were directed to the mortuary, where a a staff member allegedly asked them to sign documents acknowledging receipt of Zungu’s body. The family refused, demanding to first see the body, only to find out that it was not Nokuthula.
“We were horrified. How does a hospital lose a body? We just want to bury our daughter with dignity,” said Bhengu.
With no answers from the hospital, the Bhengu's contacted Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) for assistance.
Prem Balram, owner of RUSA, confirmed that he was approached by the family for help and that he had directed them to the police.
The Bhengu's then turned to Ndwedwe SAPS, who referred them to the local magistrate’s court. Court officials, in turn, redirected them to the hospital, creating a bureaucratic loop that left the family frustrated and desperate.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health was approached for comment.
In a statement, the department said: “We are aware of the allegations and are treating the matter with the seriousness it deserves. An internal inquiry is underway, and we are cooperating with law enforcement authorities to establish the facts.”
As the Zungu family continues their search for answers, they plead with the public and authorities to help them locate Nokuthula’s remains so they can lay her to rest.
“This is not just about our family,” said Bhengu. “It’s about every family who entrusts hospitals with their loved ones. We need justice.”