Moorosi Tsiane
QUEEN Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH) is facing a M4 million lawsuit from a Qacha’s Nek man over alleged negligence that led to his mother’s death.
According to court papers filed this week, Tlotliso Mokhutsoane (32) of Ha Apile, Qacha’s Nek, claims that his mother, Majunia Mokhutsoane, died due to negligence while receiving treatment at QMMH.
He states that his mother was hit by a car on 7 February 2023 while walking along the main road in Qacha’s Nek. She was initially rushed to Machabeng Government Hospital in Qacha’s Nek before being transferred to QMMH, where she was admitted.
Nine days later, on 16 February 2023, Majunia passed away. Mr Mokhutsoane alleges that her death resulted from QMMH staff’s failure to provide timely and appropriate medical care.
The Superintendent of Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital, the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Health, and the Attorney General are cited as first to third respondents, respectively.
“On 7 February 2023, my mother had gone shopping in Qacha’s Nek. She was walking along the main road when she was hit by a vehicle, registration number HD 279, driven by one Semethe Makoae. She was taken to Machabeng Government Hospital and immediately transferred to Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital, where she was admitted,” Mr Mokhutsoane submits.
He further states that his mother sustained head injuries, broken jaws, a broken leg, and a broken arm.
“She stayed at the hospital for nine days without being given the immediate attention she needed. She eventually died. Our family was later called to Machabeng Hospital to attend the post-mortem. I was present with Matsoanelo, Renang, and other family members. We identified the deceased. We were informed that the post-mortem report would be sent to the police, and we returned home,” he added.
However, the family’s efforts to obtain the post-mortem report have turned into a prolonged and frustrating ordeal. Mr Mokhutsoane claims that both Machabeng and QMMH have failed to produce the document, each hospital shifting the responsibility to the other.
“The police told us they had never received the report. We returned to Machabeng, which told us Queen Mamohato was responsible since they had treated the deceased. Despite numerous follow-ups, the report was never provided.”
He accuses QMMH of failing in its duty by not releasing the post-mortem report, which is crucial for both an insurance claim and a criminal case against the driver.
“We filed a criminal case against the negligent driver and lodged a motor vehicle accident claim (MVA-CL 1009-2024) with Lesotho National Insurance Company (LNIG). However, LNIG demanded a detailed post-mortem report, not just the cause of death. QMMH only gave us the latter, which the insurance rejected. Despite repeated demands, the hospital has refused to provide the post-mortem report, and the claim was rejected.”
Mr Mokhutsoane also emphasizes that his mother was admitted as an emergency patient and had no pre-existing medical conditions. He claims the hospital failed to treat or document her condition adequately, amounting to medical negligence.
Additionally, the absence of the post-mortem report is stalling the criminal case against the driver, as it is a key piece of evidence.
“Without the report, police cannot complete their investigations or take the driver to court. I hold the hospital accountable for their negligence, which ultimately resulted in my mother’s death.”
He also says his mother was the sole breadwinner for her four children and her death has left the family in financial and emotional distress.
“Our mother was a self-employed farmer with investments through Standard Bank. She earned M174,000 per annum and was expected to continue doing so for another 10 years. Now that she’s gone, her accounts have been closed, and we are suffering.”
As a result, Mr Mokhutsoane is demanding M4,156,991 in compensation from QMMH. This includes M18,569 for medical expenses, M45,900 for burial costs, M174,099 for loss of income, and M3,918,431 for emotional shock and suffering.
This lawsuit comes just a month after the hospital was hit with another negligence suit totaling M8,290,390. That claim was filed by Matee ‘Mota of Leribe, who alleged he became permanently disabled due to medical negligence at QMMH in August 2022.
Mr ‘Mota claimed he was involved in a car accident in Kolonyama in August 2022 and was first admitted to Teyateyaneng Hospital before being transferred to QMMH. He said upon admission, both his legs were still functional, but due to delays in treatment, his condition worsened drastically.
According to his court submission, he was neglected for several days despite sustaining serious injuries. He underwent multiple surgeries—three on the left leg and two on the right. He claims that his condition deteriorated following surgery at QMMH, resulting in his left leg becoming gangrenous. The leg had to be amputated above the knee.
Mr ‘Mota blamed the hospital’s delayed response on a go-slow that staff had reportedly embarked on at the time. He is demanding compensation totaling M8,290,390 for hospital and general expenses, loss of earnings, future financial losses, permanent disability, disfigurement, and emotional pain and suffering.
