MISSING CORPSE: FAMILY TAKES MINISTER, OTHERS TO COURT

MBABANE – The family of the Tanzanian woman whose corpse disappeared at the National Tuberculosis (TB) Hospital at Moneni, Manzini, has now taken the Manzini Clinic, minister of Health and the police to court.

The corpse was brought to the morgue of the government health facility as it is the only designated one for keeping bodies of people who have died of COVID-19–related complications.

In the application, which has been filed under a certificate of urgency, the family wants the court to compel the hospital and the minister to produce the corpse of Gladness Edje.

Alternatively, they want the duo to provide a detailed explanation, within five days, regarding the admission and release of the corpse from their custody.

They are further seeking an order compelling the minister to produce the corpse of Gladness or provide a detailed explanation, within five days, on the mysterious disappearance of the corpse from the National TB Hospital. It is further one of the prayers that the national commissioner of police should be compelled to provide a report, within five days, of the extent of the Royal Eswatini Police Service investigations regarding the matter of Gladness’s missing body. They are represented by Human Rights Lawyer Sibusiso Magnificent Nhlabatsi.

Applicants in the matter are Ochenetsavbuko Todo Edge, Angelina Edge and Amanda Edge. 

Respondents

The trio informed the court that the purpose of the application was to seek a comprehensive response and answers from the respondents (Manzini Clinic, minister of Health, national commissioner of police and the attorney general) on what transpired that led to the mysterious disappearance of the corpse.

“Such a disappearance has been clouded with mystery and controversy that has left the family with more questions than answers. Hence the application to compel the respondents to account for the roles thereto,” submitted the family members. 

Giving a background of the matter, they narrated that Gladness started exhibiting signs of sickness towards the end of July 2020.  According to the applicants, the deceased was admitted on or about August 1, 2020.

Gladness was immediately put on oxygen and the Manzini Clinic demanded an amount of E14 000, which the family had to raise for treatment. 

“We were then informed that the doctor who was responsible for the deceased was not available,” submitted the family.

Details

The second applicant claimed that she was given the contact details of the doctor and Gladness was left at the first respondent’s (Manzini Clinic) undertaking.

“Attempts were made to get hold of the doctor to inquire about the condition of Gladness but he was unreachable. On Monday morning, August 3, 2020 we went to check on Gladness wherein we were told that she was in a critical condition which was an auto immune,” contended the family.

They averred that on August 4, 2020, when they went to check on Gladness, she looked fine as she seemed to be improving, but the doctor allegedly stated that she was still in a critical state.

“On or about Wednesday, August 5, 2020, we got a call from the clinic that Gladness had died.  The second applicant went to the clinic and indeed positively identified Gladness wrapped in sheets. The family member who went there was informed that she died of a COVID- 19 case and that she was going to be taken to the TB Hospital mortuary as per the COVID-19 regulations,” alleged the applicants.

They informed the court that what was strange was that they were called almost two hours after Gladness was certified dead.

The applicants further told the court that initially the plan was to have the deceased repatriated to be buried in her native country-Tanzania, but due to COVID-19 regulations, movement was restricted and it became impossible to do so.

According to the applicants, further arrangements were then made to have Gladness buried in the kingdom.  

The family pointed out that she was to be buried at Ngwane Park Cemetery on August 29, 2020 and the funeral arrangements were made, including buying the casket and other things necessary for the funeral.

Dismay

“To our shock and dismay, the body of the deceased was not at the TB centre morgue as there were only two male corpses there. As weird and devastating as it is, no one is giving answers on what really transpired,” contended the family. They submitted that the only document they had at their disposal was a write up from the Ministry of Health acknowledging that indeed the deceased was kept at the National TB Hospital  mortuary.

The matter is still pending in court and the respondents are yet to file their papers.

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