ActionSA has called for an urgent investigation after a mother was allegedly forced to carry the body of her deceased newborn from a clinic in Kwaggafontein.

The incident was raised in the Mpumalanga Legislature by ActionSA Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) and Mpumalanga chairperson, Thoko Mashiane, who described the situation as deeply disturbing and a failure of compassion within the healthcare system.

According to Mashiane, the incident occurred on 26 February 2026 at Kwaggafontein C Community Clinic in the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality. The mother had taken her baby, who was born in January 2026, to the clinic after the infant fell ill.

The newborn was tragically declared deceased at the facility. The devastated mother then contacted her own mother to come and support her during the traumatic moment.

However, Mashiane said the family was allegedly informed by clinic staff that the facility does not have a mortuary and that they would need to take the baby home and arrange mortuary and funeral services themselves.

Mashiane said the family was not assisted in contacting a mortuary service or provided with guidance on how the child’s body should be collected from the clinic.

Left with no alternative, the grieving mother and grandmother allegedly left the clinic carrying the body of the newborn. They reportedly walked through a nearby mall and went to the nearest taxi rank in order to travel home.

The baby was buried the following day, 27 February 2026.

Mashiane told the legislature that the incident raises serious concerns about the treatment of grieving families within healthcare facilities.

“No parent should ever be placed in a position where they are forced to carry the body of their child through public spaces because the healthcare system failed to provide basic assistance and guidance,” she said.

ActionSA has called on the Mpumalanga Department of Health to urgently investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Mashiane said if it is confirmed that clinic staff failed to follow proper procedures or neglected their duty to assist the grieving family, the department must institute disciplinary action against those responsible without delay.

She also urged the department to ensure that clear protocols are in place at clinics without mortuary facilities so that staff can coordinate the dignified transfer of deceased patients and properly support grieving families.

“The dignity of patients and their families must always be protected, even in the most tragic circumstances,” Mashiane said.