Emalahleni – About 50 people of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party took to the streets of Emalahleni on Tuesday, 09 September 2025, to deliver a memorandum of demands against what they call a “healthcare crisis” at Witbank Provincial Hospital.
“The hospital now represents the gates of death, negligence and trauma. Patients come here seeking help but instead find themselves in a place of suffering,” George Lukhele, party member of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature said. “We can no longer remain silent when our people are subjected to such indignity.”
The memorandum outlined urgent demands to Premier Mandla Ndlovu, including the dismissal of the Mpumalanga Health MEC and removal of the hospital’s CEO. While neither has been removed from office, the MK Party claim provincial leadership has failed to address what they described as systemic failures at the facility.
These allegations include claims of nepotism in staff appointments, patients being turned away without treatment and cases of misdiagnosis.
Several people who previously sought medical help at the hospital, MK Party claims, have experienced neglect and administrative corruption firsthand. This has become a pattern that undermines public trust in the facility.
Concerns about staff misconduct were also highlighted. According to the memorandum, at least five staff members have previously been linked to negligence, with one case dating back to 2023 where a patient was left in critical condition following a poorly handled caesarean section. Although names were not provided, protesters insisted that disciplinary action must follow.
For years, community members have accused the facility of offering poor quality care, long waiting times and inadequate resources. While no personal testimonies were shared during Tuesday’s march, protesters said the grievances reflect the everyday struggles of patients who continue to suffer in silence.
The memorandum further called for urgent upgrades to ambulance services with fair regional distribution, immediate probes into alleged rape cases at the facility and action to address the shortage of doctors and medical practitioners. The party also demanded proper resourcing of pathology services to prevent delays for bereaved families and the prioritisation of local residents in hospital staff appointments.
“The state of this hospital reflects a deep crisis in our healthcare system,” Lukhele added. “We demand accountability and leadership that will restore dignity and save lives.”
The memorandum was officially received by Jomo Nyambi, Special Advisor in the Office of the Premier, who assured the marchers their grievances would be escalated.
“As a delegate of the Office of the Premier, I will make sure that I forward the memorandum to the Premier,” Nyambi said.
The Premier’s Office has until 17 September to respond to the demands.
