A DARK cloud hangs over a Gugulethu family as a protracted post-mortem report and police inquiry tears a grieving family apart.
Three years after the death of Minikazi Nkohla, her desperate relatives continue to seek answers as the wait takes its the toll.
The polices inquiry stalled because of a lengthy wait from the national laboratory for a toxicology report. The Siwa family say there was no door they have not knocked on to try to get answers.
Her husband, Lungile Siwa said their ordeal began when 33-year-old Nkohla came down with the flu in May 2019. She died five days later in hospital and there was a suspicion she had been poisoned.
Siwa said he first took his wife to a doctor in Khayelitsha who was later transferred to Groote Schuur Hospital.
“She died on May 5 and (on that day) we visited as a family. We bought food so there was also juice but she was not eating,” he said.
Siwa said he returned to the hospital later that day with a traditional healer to help his wife whose condition had deteriorated. Hours later the family was called back and informed Nkohla had died.
Siwa said his wife was attended to by more than one doctor and the family received more than one cause of death, which confused them.
“The doctor who informed of her death told us there are four causes of her death. The ones I remember now are cancer and low blood pressure in her body.
“Then another doctor came in later on and said there were reports from other patients that someone poured poison in her juice and that I was a suspect,” he said.
He said the second doctor called the Woodstock police who opened an inquest docket into the matter.
“Ever since those allegations, there has been friction between the families. We need the results so that we can all be comforted.
“We were told that it would take two weeks to get the results but we are still waiting. The detective is not telling us anything and the (forensic pathology) institute did not assist us either. It has been three years now,” he said.
Siwa said the first detective on the case left and it was given to another who has not been helpful. Instead, the family said they were provided with the contact details of the Observatory Forensic Pathology Institute.
“When I tried to call they asked many questions, I told them that I want the family of my wife to know the cause of death so that they can be consoled and believe that I have done nothing wrong,” he said.
Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness spokesperson, Mark van der Heever said the cause of death report was outstanding, pending toxicology tests that were being processed from the National Forensic Chemistry Laboratories.
He said getting post-mortem results was not a cut and dried process.
“It is not always possible to determine cause of death on autopsy alone and additional ancillary tests may be required such as toxicology, histology and other ancillary investigations.
“These investigations do take time and can delay the release of the final post-mortem report,” he said.
Police spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk said an inquest was registered at Woodstock police station and the investigation was still ongoing.
Nkohla’s aunt, Phumla Bokweni described her niece as loving, adding that answers on how she died would provide closure for the family.
“She grew up in front of me, she studied, got married and had two daughters. Minikazi was a nice person working in the local clinic. She was kind and she loved her family,” she said.
Siwa said he and his children were still grieving and finding it difficult to move on.
“It was nice when she was around because she knew everything about this house. I was always away working as a long distance truck driver. Now I am struggling to even keep the house clean because she is not around. We are desperate now we want the results,” he concluded.