Court dismisses nurse's R10 million claim after lengthy delay

WAITING eight years to institute legal proceedings against the Minister of Health came at a high price for a nurse who was assaulted when a patient died under his watch; his R10 million claim was turned down because it was filed too late.

- ZELDA VENTER

Madala Mafuyeka was attacked in 2014 while he worked as a nurse at Thulamahashe Community Health Centre in Mpumalanga.

A member of the public brought his relative to the clinic for medical assistance. The relative was already struggling to breathe upon her arrival, apparently due to underlying medical conditions. Mafuyeka was unable to resuscitate her, and she died.

The man who brought her to the clinic turned on Mafuyeka and accused him of having caused her death. The security guards on duty had to jump in and stop the attack.

Mafuyeka subsequently turned to the Mpumalanga High Court, sitting in Mbombela, where he claimed R10m in damages from the minister as well as from the Mpumalanga health authorities.