The spokesperson for the Department of Heath and Social Development, Adele van der Linde, promised a thorough investigation into allegations that a woman lost her life after nurses at a local clinic neglected to help her.

Ms Virginia Lekoloane (38) of Nwamakena village outside outside Giyani was taken to the Nwamakena (Basani) clinic by her sister last Tuesday at around 08:30. She experienced excruciating pains, said her sister, Aniekie Mokgomme. “When I asked the two nurses to help her, they said they were not there. When she lay down, they started laughing at us,” said Aniekie.

She said that when they had arrived at the clinic, there were a couple of other patients waiting to be assisted. “We told the nurses how serious her situation was, but they just ignored her,” claimed Aniekie. "These nurses are cruel,” she added. Aniekie claimed that the nurses refused to help her sister, claiming that they were busy. They were later told to wait for an ambulance to arrive.

Aniekie said that when she double checked with the nurse about the ambulance, she was told that they didn't have a landline telephone. "They asked me if I had airtime for them to be able to call the ambulance." Aniekie said she gave the nurse her cell phone to find out about the ambulance but was told it was still very far. "It was around 18:30 when we left the clinic and my sister collapsed at the clinic gate," she said.

“We hired a bakkie to come and fetch her at the clinic gate,” she said. Aniekie further said that her sister died early the next morning. She said the family was heartbroken. "We used to regard her as our pillar. She was always available to solve our problems,” she added.

The family now considers instituting a civil claim against the Minister of Health and Social Development. "We still have to consult with our lawyer," Aniekie said.

Van der Linde said that if an investigation into the incident revealed any form of neglect, her department would take very serious steps.

“We are very disturbed about the allegation of negligence and will dispatch our team to investigate the allegation as soon as possible,” she added. She expressed her condolences and sympathised with the family on behalf of the department.