The South African Human Rights Commission found that both the provincial and national health departments acted unlawfully and failed to take reasonable measures to provide access to healthcare services in the province.

This after an investigation highlighted a lack of functional cancer screening and treating machines, as well as a shortage of skilled personnel.

The department says some of the broken machines will soon be repaired or replaced and it is in the process of filling several vacant positions.

Private oncologists are assisting at one of the hospitals to clear the backlog.

But the DA said little progress has been made in the three months since the commission’s report was published.

The party has blamed the national health minister and provincial health MEC for the deaths of hundreds of cancer patients and has threatened to lay criminal charges against them.

Source: ENCA