The DA’s provincial health spokesperson, Dr Imraan Keeka, accompanied by Shadow Health Minister Patricia Kopane had stormed the Police Station to act against the minister but were turned back because of complex legalities surrounding SAHRC’s report on the deaths. Dr Keeka told reporters outside the police station that police were asking, “Where are the bodies?” “They feel that there should be a body. They’re looking for technicalities. They also said they are awaiting their legal team to advise on the matter. I mean‚ what proof do you need when it’s all contained in the [SA] Human Rights Commission [report]?” he added.

Dr Keeka said the DA decided to lay charges following ANC KZN’s failure to hold the Minister and provincial health MEC accountable for the deaths. BuzzSouthAfrica learnt that DA health spokesperson Patricia Kopane and Dr Keeka later met with high-level police officials at a separate venue, where an inquiry into the matter was opened. A report released by South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in June found that the rights of cancer patients at the Addington and Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central hospitals had been violated by the KZN and National health department. According to reports, the cancer patients’ ordeal was complicated by the lack of proper healthcare services, due to severe staff shortages and a lack of machines for screening, diagnosing, and treating cancer.

KwaZulu-Natal currently has four oncologists, forcing many patients to wait months for an appointment. Following the crisis, the Human Rights Commission has ordered the KZN Health Department to immediately repair and monitor radiotherapy machines at the hospitals.

Source: BuzzSouth Africa