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EX-RFM RADIOGRAPHER COLLAPSES IN HOSPITAL, DIES

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MANZINI - A retired RFM Hospital radiographer died after collapsing in the hospital’s office corridors, sparking an investigation.

The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon around 2pm at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital. According to his family, Bablas Sakala, a 68-year-old retired Zambian radiographer, had visited the hospital to meet with the Human Resources (HR) Manager regarding outstanding payments.
These payments reportedly included back pay awarded in 2014 and an allowance for acting as supervisor of the Radiography Department.

Management

A family member stated that in 2014, government adjusted salaries for radiographers and other medical practitioners, including back pay. She claimed that the hospital management agreed with Sakala, then 57, to pay him the back pay along with his gratuity upon his retirement, at age 60. She further claimed that some of his former colleagues, who received their back pay in 2014, were paid approximately E150 000.

However, she said when he was supposed to retire between 2017 and 2018; the hospital engaged him on a contract basis. She said the hospital kept on renewing his contract until December 2023. The family member added that towards the end of Sakala’s last contract, the department supervisor retired and Sakala was reportedly promoted to act in that position, but he was allegedly not paid for it.

After his contract expired in 2023, Sakala wrote letters to the hospital administration, demanding his 2014 back pay and the allowance for acting as department supervisor. According to his family, the hospital management did not respond, prompting Sakala to visit the hospital. On Wednesday, he informed his family he was going to meet with the HR manager, who had reportedly promised to introduce him to the department head.

However, upon arriving at the administration block, the secretary informed him the HR manager was out of office with other management members. A hospital source revealed that management was inducting newly-appointed Eswatini Nazarene Health Institutions (ENHI) Board members at Nazarene clinics.

Condolences

“After that, as he was leaving, dejected as he was, he took few steps and collapsed,” a family member said. ENHI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mazwi Mavuso confirmed the incident and expressed condolences to Sakala’s family, noting his long and dedicated service. He stated that according to the incident report, secretaries who attended to Sakala were unaware of the purpose of his visit, as he did not disclose it.

The report indicated that after being informed the HR manager was unavailable, Sakala left and collapsed along the corridor, injuring his head. The secretaries, hearing the fall, found him bleeding on the floor. “They found him lying on the floor and his head was bleeding,” the CEO said.
Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel responded and attempted resuscitation at the scene and in the emergency department, but were unsuccessful. “It is believed that he died on the spot,” Mavuso said.

Claims

Mavuso added that management will investigate the matter, including the family’s claims. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati stated that the matter was not in their records, indicating it was not reported to the police.

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