SHARPEVILLE.- Last week, Sedibeng Ster published an article dubbed, ‘We want to bury a baby that is ours’.
In the article, a young couple from Tshepiso Phase 3 in Sharpeville, Ntombi Thengela (20) and Tlotlo Ngakane (30), were disputing that the baby that the Sebokeng Hospital was asking them to bury is not theirs, after Thengela gave birth at the hospital in 2019.
The two said that they would like an independent DNA test taken, to prove whether the baby is theirs or not. Sebokeng Hospital has put in an application to have the body in question buried as a pauper. Gauteng Department of Health Spokesperson Motalatale Modiba says, “The Department is aware of the matter as the case was reported through the Ideal hospital system.”
Modiba says on 27 November, the family was advised by the hospital to go to the local municipality in order to apply for indigent funds as they were unable to bury the child.
“The couple launched their complaint which was noted and acknowledged by our Quality Assurance Unit on the 9th March 2020.
“The hospital has made several attempts to engage the family but unfortunately we could not reach them. “ Further, to help the family with the matter, the hospital’s social work unit was seconded to the family, which the family is yet to accept.”
Modiba said that the department is willing to further engage with the family in order to find a workable solution in the matter. The young couple is now seeking legal council on the matter.
