A senior staff member at a Khayelitsha clinic has died of Covid-19 and her family and colleagues are blaming the City of Cape Town for her death.
Maggie Mathe, 49, a clerk at Nolungile Community Day Centre, died on Tuesday.
Her daughter Noma Mathe, 23, says her mom applied for leave as she had several comorbidities.
“We were always worried about her health because she was diabetic, had asthma and was obese,” says Noma.
“She applied for leave, but it was not given to her.”
Noma says her mom was only given leave when a colleague tested positive for Covid-19 in May.
“My mother tested negative after going in isolation and she tried to apply for more leave, but it was never approved.
“What angers me is that the clinic managers are working from home, yet they did not allow her to do so as well.”
Maggie became ill on 29 May and was sent for testing.
Her condition deteriorated a few days later and she was admitted to the ICU at Melomed Gatesville Hospital on 1 June.
She subsequently improved and was moved first to high care and then to a general ward.
Her sudden death on 23 June at hospital came as a shock to her colleagues.
DECEASED: Maggie Mathe, 49, worked at a Khayelitsha clinic
“The City must take responsibility for her death because we all knew that if she contracted the virus, it would be difficult for her to survive,” said a colleague, who asked not to be named.
SAMWU spokesman Xolani Diniso said Maggie’s death could have been prevented: “Her passing is due to the City’s negligence.
“The City’s health department should be leading by example and implement the national directive of placing on leave workers with comorbidities.”
City spokesperson Priya Reddy says leave for isolation is only approved when a positive case is reported: “City Health has made Covid-19 leave available.”
She confirms Maggie was granted leave to self-isolate and again after she tested positive for the virus.
“For confidentiality reasons, it is not possible to reveal whether Ms Mathe suffered from comorbidities.”
Reddy says a process of identifying all vulnerable staff has been implemented, which includes an assessment by the City’s Occupational Health and Safety department.
She denied that clinic managers are working from home.