Family demands justice after nurses allegedly commit insurance fraud on deceased patient

The family of Nduduzo Mbatha has called for the harshest punishment against three nurses from Appelsbosch Hospital, near Ndwedwe, north of Durban, who are facing allegations of insurance fraud after they reportedly took out life policies against their loved one without consent.

The allegations came to light when the Mbatha family was unexpectedly contacted by an insurance company regarding payouts on policies linked to the life of Nduduzo Mbatha.

Nduduzo, 24, died while he was a patient at the hospital in November 2024. He was in the care of the nurses in question at the time of his death.

It has been reported that the three nurses had pocketed nearly R160 000 collectively as payout form the insurance company, in lieu of the polices they had taken against the life of Nduduzo.

He was previously admitted to hospital after he had sustained a gunshot wound, and he eventually succumbed to his injuries, but his family suspected foul play.

Nduduzo’s aunt, Happiness Mbatha said: “I think it’s the funeral policy that I had for him that brought this matter to light because investigators from the insurance company kept calling my brother (Nduduzo's uncle).

"They were conducting a forensic investigation into the numerous insurance policies against Nduduzo's life by people they suspected were not related to him. That’s how I was drawn into their investigations.

"Unfortunately, I did not receive my payout, but those who are not related to the family did."

Nduduzo Mbatha's mother, Bongiwe, who works as a cleaner at the same hospital, said she felt betrayed because she believed that the nurses accessed her son's personal information from his medical records while he was in their care.

"They (the nurses) said they considered us family during our interactions with them," she lamented.

The Mbatha family are now suspicious about the actual cause of Nduduzo's death. He had various stays in hospital for treatment and at the time of his passing, his condition worsened progressively.

Reports suggest that insurance claims were filed less than 48 hours after his death.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health was currently conducting internal investigations into the nurses' actions after being alerted to the complaints from the family.

Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane stated: “The department received a complaint alleging that the nurses fraudulently took out insurance policies on their late son, Nduduzo Mbatha, without the family's knowledge or consent.

"Following the complaint, hospital management engaged the nurses, who denied all allegations and resigned immediately when asked to provide written statements. The case has since been referred to the Special Investigating Unit for a thorough investigation, with the South African Police Service conducting a criminal probe."

Nduduzo's death and the subsequent allegations have troubled patients at Appelsbosch Hospital and the surrounding community. A family member, who asked not to be named, said the nurses in question were always reassuring and caring in nature throughout Nduduzo's hospital stay.

“They were always very helpful to us… but now we have to question their motives," said the relative.

The Department of Health has pledged to cooperate with authorities conducting investigations. Therefore, they will not be providing comment until the matter has reached a conclusion.

DAILY NEWS