Covid-19: Desperate Mthatha nuns beg for government, public intervention

Management at the Congregation of the Precious Blood Sisters (CPS) in Mthatha is lobbying  government, NGOs and the public to assist them through the Covid-19 crisis.

It has now emerged that a fifth nun succumbed to the virus on Friday.

Those who have lost their lives are Sister Ambrose Shabalala, 80 (June 17), Sister Celine Nxopo, 66 (June 8), Sister Maria Cord Wardhor, 80 (June 12), Sister Martha Anne Dlamini, 74 (June 13), and Sister Beautrice Khofu, 84 (June 14).

A total of 17 nuns tested positive for Covid-19 last week.

CPS leadership at the Glen Avent Convent at Ikhwezi Township in Mthatha fear there could be more deaths.

“We are were left with nobody to assist us as all 13 workers have been quarantined for two weeks following the outbreak,” Sister Nokwanda Bam said.

“We have no nurses to look after the sick and the frail. The buildings are yet to be deep cleaned or fumigated.

“We appeal to the government  and any other people with good hearts to assist. It is not good to see your colleagues dying one by one, day by day, and the others are very sick.”

She said she and her colleagues were taking huge strain.

“This is so traumatising. We plead for the intervention of government, the health department, before we all die and get infected with the coronavirus.

“Every day the death toll increases and so does the number of those infected. Those dying are elderly people and we still have more infected elderly sisters,” she said.

Bam said the situation had become so bad that  nuns could no longer cook, clean or wash.

“We appeal for any assistance. We are in need of personal protective equipment and other things.”

Four of the deceased  will be buried on Saturday, while one has already been buried.

Roman Catholic Mthatha Bishop Sithembele Sipuka said he was extremely worried by the deaths.

“This has caused a lot anxiety. The sisters are overwhelmed.

“There is another elderly sister who is not well, she had to be rushed to hospital this morning after she struggled to breathe.

“In her situation we can expect anything. We hope that more will recover,” said Sipuka

SA Council of Churches provincial chair professor Lulama Ntshingwa and health MEC Sindiswa Gomba have sent messages of condolence to the convent.

Ntshingwa said: “In recent days, the coronavirus has claimed the lives of a number of clerics and their families tested positive. Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts. Let their souls rest in peace.”

Health department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said a medical doctor and five nurses had been sent to the convent.

“The centre was found to be appropriate for self-isolation and quarantine. They were given tools and medical waste disposal.

“There are frequent visits by the doctors and nurses. We continue to monitor the situation,” he said. ​

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