The family of the 35-year-old woman who died due to a fire that broke out at Dr George Mukhari hospital remains disturbed and demanding answers to what transpired that Monday evening at the north of Pretoria hospital.
Lerato Mohlamme (35) died when a fire reportedly broke out at a seclusion ward at the hospital in Ga-Rankuwa on Monday afternoon, June 24.
“She was placed in seclusion, as part of her prescribed treatment,” said Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba.
Family spokesperson Malebogeng Mohlamme said the family were in pain and had a lot of unanswered questions from the authorities involved.
“Today [July 4] it is her memorial service and reality is now clicking in that she is really gone.”
She said the family was keen to know what happened and the fire’s actual cause.
Lerato was admitted for only four days to the psychiatric ward.
“The hospital told us that the incident is still under investigation but we feel like they are dragging their feet,” Malebogeng said.
She added that if her sister was under supervision she would still be alive.
Malebogeng said her sister’s children, aged between 4 and 7 were “now left without a mother”.
She added that her sister was a lovely person and the pillar of the family.
“She was a mother to my kids and her kids,” she said.
“She took care of us, her siblings and our mother,” Malebogeng added.
She also recalled the time she spoke to her sister while she was in hospital.
She said when she last spoke to Lerato on the phone, she was fine and sounded like she was getting better.
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Image: Supplied
Malebogeng added that her sister will be taken to her last home on Saturday, July 6.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said the case was still under investigation and awaited the report from fire inspectors as to what was the cause of the fire.
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