Mosunkutu ‘obsessed with serving’
But treatment at Bara was a shame to public service, says Makhura
Gauteng premier David Makhura has conceded that the treatment that late ANC veteran Khabisi Mosunkutu received at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto was a shame to the public service.
Sowetan reported in November that Mosunkutu, who was recovering from a stroke, was refused treatment at the hospital by a physiotherapist less than two months before he died.
Speaking at Mosunkutu’s funeral in Pimville, Soweto, yesterday, Makhura described the veteran as man who was obsessed about serving people and not himself.
“When I visited the family in July 2016 when the house burnt down, I had an opportunity to speak to both Bra Kgabs and Mam Mosunkutu.
“Bra Khabs spoke passionately about fixing the ANC. Half of the house was gone but his interest was about fixing the ANC, fixing the country and continuing the revolution. It was Mam Mosunkutu who spoke about the house,” he said.
“At the end he spoke about it, saying ‘I’m very grateful that my son and I who were at home were able to survive’…What a wonderful man.”
Makhura also spoke about the experience that Mosunkutu and his wife suffered at Baragwanath.
“He was admitted at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital after he had a terrible experience at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. I must say that this puts shame on us as public officials and public servants. That bad treatment he had at our own hospital, here in Soweto, his own township, puts us to shame,” Makhura said.
“That is not the type of public service we want to have. MEC [of health] Dr Gwen Ramokgopa had to apologise many times to Bra Khabs.”
Makhura said due to Mosunkuntu’s peace, they were misled into thinking that the veteran was okay. However, despite this admission, Makhura said the ANC did not abandon Mosunkutu and such views were nothing but fake news.
Mosunkutu, who is survived by his wife Nonqaba and five children, died on Christmas Eve aged 68 after a long illness. He served in the Gauteng legislature from 1995 until his retirement from public office in 2011.
He was described by various speakers as a selfless leader who served his people.
Deputy finance minister Mondli Gungubele said the former trade unionist overcame adversity in pursuance of a vision. “Your love for your people and country was undying [and] your commitment to serve was beyond ordinary. You have left a rich legacy of selfless service and dedication to the cause and, for that, we are eternally grateful to you,” he said.
Mosunkutu was laid to rest at the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg.
Your love for your people and country was undying