The family of 24-year-old Nduduzo Mbatha is demanding justice after three nurses from Appelsbosch Hospital, near Ndwedwe in northern KwaZulu-Natal, were accused of committing insurance fraud by allegedly taking out life policies against his name without consent. The scandal surfaced when an insurance company contacted the Mbatha family about payouts on policies linked to Nduduzo’s life.
Nduduzo, who had been admitted to the hospital after suffering a gunshot wound, died in November 2024 while under the care of the implicated nurses. It is alleged that the three nurses collectively pocketed close to R160,000 in payouts from the fraudulent insurance claims.
His aunt, Happiness Mbatha, said the family only discovered the fraud after investigators from an insurance company contacted them.
“I think it’s the funeral policy that I had for him that brought this matter to light,” she said. “They were investigating multiple insurance policies taken out against Nduduzo’s life by people who were not related to him. That’s how I was drawn into their investigation. Unfortunately, I didn’t receive my payout — but those who weren’t family did.”
Nduduzo’s mother, Bongiwe Mbatha, who works as a cleaner at the same hospital, said she felt deeply betrayed.
“They accessed my son’s personal details from his hospital records,” she alleged. “They said they considered us family during our interactions, but it was all lies.”
The Mbatha family is also questioning the true cause of Nduduzo’s death, saying his condition deteriorated unexpectedly while under the nurses’ care. Reports indicate that the fraudulent insurance claims were submitted less than 48 hours after his passing.
KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane confirmed that an internal investigation is underway.
“The department received a complaint alleging that nurses fraudulently took out insurance policies on the late Nduduzo Mbatha without his family’s consent,” she said. “When questioned, the nurses denied all allegations but resigned immediately after being asked for written statements. The matter has since been referred to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), with the South African Police Service (SAPS) conducting a criminal investigation.”
The scandal has sparked outrage in the local community and fear among patients at Appelsbosch Hospital. A family member described the nurses as “friendly and caring” during Nduduzo’s stay but admitted that the revelations have shaken their trust.
The Department of Health said it will cooperate fully with authorities and refrain from further comment until investigations are concluded.
