#JusticeForShoni campaign hands over petition for change and announces legal action against Gauteng Health Department and Tembisa hospital
The campaign aligns to the struggles of the Tembisa community and activists, calling for more patients and families to speak out and share their experiences
2020–07–12 JOHANNESBURG — Family and friends of Shonisani Lethole have delivered a petition supported by over 20,000 signatories demanding transparency and accountability linked to the circumstances of his death at the Tembisa hospital to Gauteng Health MEC, Dr Bandile Masuku.
The #JusticeForShoni campaign initiated the public petition shortly after it became known that Lethole, an entrepreneur and arts organizer aged 34, died only six days after being admitted to Tembisa hospital on 23 June, complaining of back pain. While being admitted, Shoni was allegedly not fed for 48 hours, prompting him in desperation to tweet Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize for help, while he continued to receive substandard care. The Gauteng Health Department alleges Lethole died as a result of COVID-19 but has yet to release confirmatory test results to his family.
The petition, handed over electronically on Friday, calls on Dr Lekopane Mogaladi, CEO of Tembisa hospital; Dr Masuku, Gauteng Health MEC and Dr Mkhize, Minister of Health to:
- Conduct an urgent investigation into the circumstances leading to Shoni’s death, provide a report and hold a meeting with the family by Tuesday 14th July 2020, and publish the same immediately after the family’s approval.
- Clearly identify any failings in the way he was treated at Tembisa hospital and make recommendations as to required changes to practices.
- Commit to immediately implementing those recommendations, and in so doing save the lives of other people receiving care at Tembisa Hospital
- Provide a report on the progress of implementing those recommendations to the family on the 30th July 2020.
The Lethole family are now taking legal action against the Gauteng Health Department and National Health Department for damages arising from negligence, subjecting Shoni to inhuman and degrading treatment infringing on his right to dignity and bodily integrity and ultimately failing to provide him with proper care.
Shoni’s death at Tembisa hospital amplifies the inequalities in our country’s health system. The circumstances surrounding his case again demonstrates to South Africans that certain factors such as, but not limited to, race, class, economic status and gender inequalities determine access to quality healthcare.
This point has been raised by community members, health activists, non-governmental organisations, trade unions and investigative journalists for over 20 years. Organizations have raised the alarm and complaints about the poor working conditions, maladministration, negligence and improper treatment in health facilities such as Tembisa hospital. The #JusticeForShoni campaign stands in solidarity on these issues and recognizes their continued efforts.
Shoni’s death reminds us about the many South Africans who have either died or carry ongoing health burdens due to these structural problems in the health system. The #JusticeForShoni campaign believes his treatment is not an isolated incident, as several other patients in Tembisa hospital or their family members have spoken out about the conditions of their treatment in recent days. These accounts indicate a long-standing health crisis disproportionately affecting black working class and poor citizens in townships and rural areas.
Shoni dedicated his life to uniting people. Therefore, we act as a collective advocating for a transformed health system, which provides all South Africans with quality health services they can trust. That trust is only possible with accountability, transparency, equity and humanity in our health facilities — especially now during the COVID-19 health emergency.
Many more families will leave their loved ones in the care of public hospitals, expecting quality care for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. Without accurate and properly explained information about their loved ones’ conditions they may worry, or worse turn their backs on the public healthcare system. This is something we cannot afford. Communities need to trust their hospitals and healthcare managers.
The #JusticeForShoni campaign and the Lethole family align with progressive individuals and groups to fight systemic injustices and to ensure good healthcare for all.
As more people who experienced inadequate care at Tembisa hospital speak out on social media, leaders in public healthcare should listen and take urgent action. We wish to work with community organizations, healthcare activists, civil society and worker organizations organizing on community health issues to bring change. We urge them to join our call and for more patients and families to speak out now. Together we are strong.
TAKE ACTION
We need to hear more voices. Share your healthcare experience at Tembisa hospital with us. Get in touch & complete the questionnaire here: isiZulu bit.ly/EsibhedleleiTembisa | English bit.ly/TembisaHospSpeakOut
Sign-up to the petition here: bit.ly/ShoniJustice
Follow the #JusticeForShoni campaign on Twitter @JusticeForShoni
CONTACTS
Email JusticeForShoni@gmail.com
Ndinnanyi Siminya +27 76 836 5768 | Borrie Lagrange +27 83 287 5294
About #JusticeForShoni
The #JusticeForShoni campaign is an independent, apolitical movement with no affiliation to any political party. Our objective is to ensure transparency and accountability with the goal of improving the South African public healthcare system and to ensure trust in the quality of care provided during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. We are a group of more than 150 friends and family of Shonisani Lethole who want to see the Tembisa community and other communities get the quality healthcare they deserve — and to fix what is broken in our health system.
