The Limpopo Department of Health has dismissed as false and misleading social media claims alleging that an elderly patient died while waiting for medical treatment at Modimolle Clinic, saying the reports have unfairly damaged the reputation of healthcare workers and caused unnecessary public alarm.
The department said preliminary investigations showed that the elderly man, a chronic patient, visited the clinic for routine wound dressing treatment and was attended to by nursing staff before returning home.
“There is no truth to allegations that the patient died while waiting for medical attention at the facility,” said Neil Shikwambana, departmental spokesperson, in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to the department, the controversy began when a woman accompanying her father to the clinic allegedly became upset after healthcare workers asked her to wait while they attended to an emergency case.
Officials said the woman subsequently removed her father from the facility before later returning to the clinic.
The department alleged that upon her return, the woman attempted to record videos inside the clinic without authorization and refused to comply with security procedures. Security personnel intervened, leading to a confrontation.
During the incident, the woman allegedly discharged pepper spray inside the clinic, causing panic among patients and disrupting healthcare services, according to the department.
Patients reportedly fled the waiting area while security personnel worked to restore order and ensure the safety of staff and visitors. Members of the South African Police Service were called to the scene and the matter was handed over to law enforcement authorities.
The department further stated that after the disturbance, another family member collected the elderly patient and later returned him to the clinic so he could continue receiving the wound care treatment for which he had originally presented.
Shikwambana said the department strongly condemned the spread of misinformation, particularly allegations suggesting that a patient had died due to negligence by healthcare workers.
“Such misinformation undermines public confidence in the healthcare system, causes unnecessary distress to families and unfairly damages the reputation of committed healthcare professionals,” he said.
The department confirmed that a criminal case has been opened by security personnel involved in the incident and that relevant authorities are investigating the matter.
Health officials urged members of the public to verify information through official communication channels before sharing claims on social media platforms.
The incident highlights the growing challenge faced by public institutions across South Africa in combating misinformation spread through social media, particularly in sensitive sectors such as healthcare where unverified claims can rapidly undermine public trust.
The Limpopo Department of Health said it remains committed to providing quality healthcare services while protecting patients and healthcare workers from intimidation, harassment and the spread of false information.