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End of road for baby Matseleng

NO MORE: Junior Kgadima's baby, Matseleng, has died. Pic. Alex Matlala. 16/01/08. © Sowetan.
NO MORE: Junior Kgadima's baby, Matseleng, has died. Pic. Alex Matlala. 16/01/08. © Sowetan.

lex Matlala

lex Matlala

Baby Matseleng is no more. The girl was born at the gate of George Masebe Hospital in Mokopane, Limpopo, after nurses "turned away" her expectant mother last Monday.

The mother, Junior Kgadima, named her Matseleng - meaning of the road - because of the circumstances under which she was born.

The baby died yesterday after experiencing breathing problems. Sowetan published the story of the distraught Kgadima after she gave birth. She told Sowetan that she had gone to the hospital after feeling severe pains.

"But the nurses and doctors turned me away. I tried to plead with them but they told me the baby was not due and that I should go back home," Kgadima said.

"They only gave me pain tablets. My baby would still be alive if I was properly treated by the hospital staff."

Despite promising to launch an investigation, the Limpopo health department had by yesterday not even contacted Kgadima.

Family members gathered at Kgadima's house yesterday afternoon where the baby was buried. Kgadima could not stop crying during and after the funeral. She cried profusely as the tiny body, covered in a small blanket, was lowered into the ground.

The funeral, which was attended only by close family relatives, was held in the backyard of the house.

"I told them the baby was near but they wouldn't listen. Now she is gone. What have I done to suffer like this?" she asked, still crying.

Health department spokesman Phuti Seloba said he was shocked at the death of the baby.

"If we find any wrongdoing in our part, those involved would be faced with an acid test."

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