A sick Limpopo granny, Ms Nkhesani Marhule, who fought for her life for about two weeks in the Malamulele Hospital, finally passed away.

She allegedly suffered severe burns in the hospital, shortly after she was admitted for headache and energy loss. Ms Marhule (74) of Malamulele Section A, was allegedly taken for a bath and she was severely burnt in the hot water. According to members of her family, she was left unattended for several hours.

Ms Tintswalo Ngwenya, the deceased’s daughter, said she was still battling to try to establish what actually happened after she brought her mother for treatment. She added that when she visited the hospital the next day, she was shocked to discover that her mother was severely burnt and was not able to speak or walk.

"When I entered the ward, a nurse approached me and said: ´We are sorry and we want you to forgive us; your mother has been badly burned after we forgot her in the bath. Please do not take this matter up. She will be better soon.´ When I went to see my mother, I found that she was in a terrible condition and was wrapped in bandages all over her body, especially her waist an her buttocks, legs and her private parts," said Ngwenya.

She further said "I can not tolerate such negligence by nurses who are employed by the government to assist the public. I will persuade the Department of Health and Social Development to tell me what really happened with my mother".

One of the nurses in the hospital, who wants to remain anonymous, said that it appears the granny was left alone in the bath. The bath tap continued pouring in hot water and the granny was screaming for help and she was rescued after more than an hour. That is why she was severely burnt.

Provincial Health and Social Development spokesperson Phuti Seloba could not be found for comment.