OFM News earlier reported that the body of a patient – believed to be missing from his hospital bed for days - was found in the basement of the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein.

Initial indications were that the basement was flooded at the time and that the patient drowned.

The spokesperson for the Free State Health Department, Mondli Mvambi, said the water in the basement was only at the level of a shoe sole and that an autopsy was conducted and the cause of death was not drowning.

Public Service Commissioner (PSC) in the Free State, Henk Boshoff, says he met with Free State Health Head of Department (HOD), David Motau, who confirmed the incident and the internal investigation.

He says Motau explained that an incident report was written and that he has given instructions for an investigation by the Department’s Office of Standard Compliance. A report will then be submitted to Motau.

"The HOD undertook to update me on the progress in this regard and expressed his concern," Boshoff explained. He says Motau assured him of "decisive action".

Boshoff says the PSC is extremely concerned about the incident and welcomes the investigation.

OFM News