Teenager Admitted for Stomach Pain, Ends Up Facing Amputation of Hands and Legs

Durban – Mhlengi Duma, a 17-year-old, was admitted to Victoria Mxenge Hospital in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, for the removal of an infected appendix. Unexpectedly, surgeons amputated portions of his hands and legs instead.

This incident took place four years ago, but the case remains unresolved as the hospital, previously known as King Edward, adamantly denies any negligence on the part of its staff leading to the amputations.

From Lindelani D Township Section in eThekwini, Mhlengi, now residing in Pietermaritzburg, alleges that the hospital’s treatment has caused him irreversible harm that has shattered his life.

Sharing his poignant experience with The Bulrushes, he continues to struggle with the consequences of his ordeal.

Sitting on the couch emphasized the extent of his amputations; his legs, lacking feet, hovered several centimeters above the floor, and his arms ended abruptly without hands.

Reflecting on the traumatic events surrounding his amputations, Mhlengi explained that he was diagnosed with appendicitis upon his admission.

However, the prescribed medication severely affected his veins, causing them to turn blue and eventually develop blisters.

“I was improving and placed in high care, but my limbs started to blister,” lamented the distraught teenager.

“On my left hand, the blister burst and attracted flies. When I alerted the nurses, they reassured me that the flies were harmless and that the wound required ventilation.”

Mhlengi noted that it was only after a doctor intervened that the nurses were instructed to cover his wound.

Two days later, upon changing the dressing, the wound was overrun by maggots.

“They had devoured nearly everything, including the bone,” Mhlengi recalled.

Doctors advised multiple partial amputations to save his life. Despite her hesitance, Mhlengi’s mother ultimately consented to the surgeries.

“I wanted just my left hand amputated because the maggots were consuming me, but I woke up to find all my limbs gone,” he expressed.

Mhlengi’s grieving mother, Nqobile Duma, who lives modestly, struggled to hold back tears as she recounted her son’s life-altering ordeal.

“I am deeply hurt by how this has transpired,” lamented Duma.

“My son was merely 13 when he entered High Care at Victoria Mxenge Hospital. I never imagined he would undergo amputations; we sought treatment solely for stomach issues.”

Duma also criticized the way doctors handled the situation.

When her son was in severe pain, she remembered doctors suggesting, “If you believe in anything, perhaps ancestors, you should pray, as the situation is grave.”

Years later, as her son continues to face challenges, Duma shared with The Bulrushes that the case remains unresolved.

Although the hospital’s spokesperson did not respond to The Bulrushes’ inquiries, Dr. Sandile Shabalala, Head of the Department of Health, previously commented on the matter.

Dr. Shabalala stated during an interview that “worse could have happened” to the patient, asserting that the doctors were not at fault.

Frustrated by the hospital’s inadequate responses, Duma sought justice through the courts.

In 2023, the case was slated for pre-trial proceedings, but state lawyers failed to appear on the assigned date.

The court subsequently rescheduled the case.

The pre-trial was eventually held on 10 June 2024.

Duma mentioned that since the hospital contested her claim of negligence regarding her son’s amputations, the court mandated a medical examination.

She is now awaiting a new court date.

The grieving mother finds herself at a crossroads, searching for justice from what she perceives as a negligent hospital unwilling to take responsibility for their actions.

Her anguish deepened when she shared an image of Mhlengi from before he entered the hospital all those years ago.