An Eastern Cape care centre has been called a “death camp” by civil society groups and family members of patients who have died there.Since opening in 2011 more than 30 people are alleged to have died at the Qongqo Hospice in Stutterheim.
Owner Mbulelo Qongqo, a traditional healer, confirmed that a number of patients had died since it opened.
He said the facility faced many challenges and blamed government for not showing support.
Qongqo said he funded the centre from his own pocket, but families of some patients told the Saturday Dispatch that their social grants had been used to cover costs.
Due to the dire circumstances at the facility, the Eastern Cape department of social development and special programmes and community leaders have called for it to be closed.
Although it is registered as a “hospice”, the facility does not have proper medical equipment or dedicated medical staff including a doctor.
A lack of water and shortages of food and medication are some of the other problems.
Although hospices traditionally offer services to terminally ill patients, the Stutterheim centre cares for disabled, mentally disturbed and elderly patients not suffering from life threatening illnesses.
Qongqo admitted to allowing anyone into the facility.
“I can’t turn people away and I can’t deny that people are dying there.
“I had problems with staff who were drinking and didn’t care and that has painted a bad picture,” he said.
Mumsy Kondile said her 36-year-old cousin was admitted to the facility as there was no one to look after him.
“He had a stroke but could walk and talk. He was not ill,” she said, adding that he passed away last year after suffering from diarrhoea.
Thembeka Dlelana lost her husband Bafana at the centre. She believes if a medical doctor had been on hand he would have survived.
Although unable to give the exact number of people who had died at the facility, Qongqo said: “There was a week where patients died one after another and I was worried of what was happening.”
Margaret Marr of the United Residents’ Front, who has visited the facility, said the situation inside was shocking.
“It’s an eyesore. It’s painful to see elderly people living in those conditions and worse, dying. That place is a modern day death camp,” said Marr.
Qongqo said a medical doctor who had promised to help him had disappeared.
“I don’t know what happened, we had a deal. But let me tell you, there are political people who are jealous of me to succeed with this.”
Social development spokesman Gcobani Maswana said social workers had recommended the facility be closed.
“That place does not meet the norms and standards and it was recommended that it be closed. Next week a plan will be made to visit the place with the MEC,” said Maswana.
He said they were concerned about patients at the facility.
It is not clear how many people are receiving care there, but Marr said they had counted 57 people on a recent visit while Qongqo said he did not know the exact figure but it was slightly over 30.
“Plans have to be made of what is to be done with those patients,” said Maswana.
“We appeal to relatives to always check if places such as these are registered because this one is not registered with us,” said Maswana.
Qongqo showed the Dispatch a non-profit organisation (NPO) registration certificate and number with the department.
“We are registered but our government doesn’t want to support this idea.”
Qongqo, who runs a similar facility in Ezinkomeni near Berlin, admitted to not being at the Stutterheim facility all the time.
Stutterheim care centre under fire as patients die
Owner Mbulelo Qongqo, a traditional healer, confirmed that a number of patients had died since it opened.
He said the facility faced many challenges and blamed government for not showing support.
Qongqo said he funded the centre from his own pocket, but families of some patients told the Saturday Dispatch that their social grants had been used to cover costs.
Due to the dire circumstances at the facility, the Eastern Cape department of social development and special programmes and community leaders have called for it to be closed.
Although it is registered as a “hospice”, the facility does not have proper medical equipment or dedicated medical staff including a doctor.
A lack of water and shortages of food and medication are some of the other problems.
Although hospices traditionally offer services to terminally ill patients, the Stutterheim centre cares for disabled, mentally disturbed and elderly patients not suffering from life threatening illnesses.
Qongqo admitted to allowing anyone into the facility.
“I can’t turn people away and I can’t deny that people are dying there.
“I had problems with staff who were drinking and didn’t care and that has painted a bad picture,” he said.
Mumsy Kondile said her 36-year-old cousin was admitted to the facility as there was no one to look after him.
“He had a stroke but could walk and talk. He was not ill,” she said, adding that he passed away last year after suffering from diarrhoea.
Thembeka Dlelana lost her husband Bafana at the centre. She believes if a medical doctor had been on hand he would have survived.
Although unable to give the exact number of people who had died at the facility, Qongqo said: “There was a week where patients died one after another and I was worried of what was happening.”
Margaret Marr of the United Residents’ Front, who has visited the facility, said the situation inside was shocking.
“It’s an eyesore. It’s painful to see elderly people living in those conditions and worse, dying. That place is a modern day death camp,” said Marr.
Qongqo said a medical doctor who had promised to help him had disappeared.
“I don’t know what happened, we had a deal. But let me tell you, there are political people who are jealous of me to succeed with this.”
Social development spokesman Gcobani Maswana said social workers had recommended the facility be closed.
“That place does not meet the norms and standards and it was recommended that it be closed. Next week a plan will be made to visit the place with the MEC,” said Maswana.
He said they were concerned about patients at the facility.
It is not clear how many people are receiving care there, but Marr said they had counted 57 people on a recent visit while Qongqo said he did not know the exact figure but it was slightly over 30.
“Plans have to be made of what is to be done with those patients,” said Maswana.
“We appeal to relatives to always check if places such as these are registered because this one is not registered with us,” said Maswana.
Qongqo showed the Dispatch a non-profit organisation (NPO) registration certificate and number with the department.
“We are registered but our government doesn’t want to support this idea.”
Qongqo, who runs a similar facility in Ezinkomeni near Berlin, admitted to not being at the Stutterheim facility all the time.
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