{"id":296954,"date":"2026-03-17T10:39:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T08:39:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/?p=296954"},"modified":"2026-03-17T10:42:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T08:42:10","slug":"health-department-rejects-r500-000-claim-linked-to-tooth-extraction-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/health-department-rejects-r500-000-claim-linked-to-tooth-extraction-case\/","title":{"rendered":"Health Department rejects R500 000 claim linked to tooth extraction case"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

EASTERN CAPE<\/strong> – The Eastern Cape Department of Health has rejected a R500 000 claim by a Jeffrey\u2019s Bay woman who claims she was left paralysed after a tooth extraction at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, stating there is \u201cno legal basis\u201d for any payout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thobeka Priscilla Jantjies, who has been paralysed since undergoing the procedure in 2002, travelled to the provincial Legislature in Bhisho last week to demand compensation and intervention from government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The department\u2019s response comes after the Democratic Alliance (DA) said it would submit parliamentary questions to Health MEC Ntandokazi Capa following Jantjies\u2019 protest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a statement issued, the department said it \u201cnotes, not without concern, Thobeka Jantjies\u2019s visits to different government departments and the Eastern Cape Legislature\u201d and acknowledged her situation, adding: \u201cWe recognise her plight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the department said investigations into her case had found no evidence of negligence or a causal link between the dental procedure and her current condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur investigation of her case has not demonstrated any evidence of negligence on the part of the Department,\u201d the statement read. \u201cIn fact, it would appear that there isn\u2019t even any causality between her current condition and the care that was provided.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The department added that when Jantjies first lodged her claim, \u201cthe administration also did not find any basis for negligence and hence could not and did not concede liability\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing the R500 000 claim, the department said there \u201cremains administratively no legal basis to make any payments as a medico-legal settlement because there is no liability present\u201d, warning that doing so \u201cwill likely be an audit query\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The department said that, as a goodwill gesture, it had previously offered assistance aimed at improving Jantjies\u2019 living conditions, including support facilitated through other government departments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe also facilitated with other departments like Human Settlements as well as Social Development, to look at opportunities to provide a fully furnished house in Jeffreys Bay, ensure applicable grant support and business opportunities,\u201d the statement read, adding that the offer was declined at the time and subsequently lapsed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite rejecting liability, the department said it continues to provide clinical care and remains willing to assist Jantjies in accessing available social support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt must be emphasised that the Department continues to offer clinical care to Mrs Jantjies and is willing to advocate for and facilitate with other relevant departments,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last week, the DA Shadow MEC for Health Jane Cowley said the party would submit parliamentary questions to Capa to establish the full facts of the case and how it has been handled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Democratic Alliance is deeply concerned,\u201d Cowley said, adding that Jantjies\u2019 protest \u201chighlights the plight of individuals who have been failed by the department\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said Jantjies has been waiting 24 years for finality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cowley also pointed to the broader medico-legal crisis facing the Eastern Cape Department of Health, with contingent liabilities reportedly exceeding R40 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe ongoing medico-legal crisis\u2026 has created enormous pressure on the provincial budget,\u201d she said, warning that when claims are settled or result in court orders, the costs are often drawn from the Department\u2019s operational budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This, she said, has \u201cserious consequences for staffing, medicine procurement, equipment replacement, and the overall quality of healthcare delivery\u201d, ultimately exposing the department to further negligence claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cowley said the DA would continue to hold the MEC and the Department accountable and push for urgent intervention to ensure that healthcare resources are directed towards patient care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The department, however, reiterated that Jantjies retains the option of pursuing legal avenues should she believe her claim has merit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Medication shortages spark concern as unpaid health suppliers crisis deepens<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Eastern Cape Department of Health has rejected a R500 000 claim by a Jeffrey\u2019s Bay woman who says she was left paralysed after a tooth 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