North West police have launched a murder investigation into the death of a Mozambican mineworker during a high-risk procedure at a private Rustenburg hospital, after allegations that the operation to remove a brain tumour was allegedly carried out without consent from the patient or a legal surrogate.
The case dates back to 26 November 2023, when Isaac Ruco, a 58-year-old operator at Phenyo Africa Mining Solutions, was admitted to the mine’s clinic with severe headaches. He was later transferred to Life Peglerae Hospital.
According to the man’s son, Angelo, clinic staff had initially diagnosed his father with malaria, but said doctors at Peglerae discovered a brain tumour, reports News24.
Angelo (35) said they were not even aware that his father had a tumour until his uncle, Rogerio Ruco, was approached by the police. The last time Angelo interacted with his father was on 29 November, when the older man complained about a severe headache.
The day after the surgery – which he said the family was not aware was going to take place – his father was unresponsive and was put on life support.
The family was subsequently called into an office and told that he had died, and that doctors had discovered his tumour was the size of a golf ball.
A case of murder
The family said they had been approached by SAPS who wanted to know how Ruco had died: they were told that as he had died during an operation for which he had not consented, a case of murder was to be registered.
When City Press asked Life Peglerae for comment, manager Denise Botha said the case had been referred to Tanya Lowth, the group’s communications manager.
However, no further communication has been received.
Ruco’s remains were repatriated to Mozambique on 13 December 2023, where his burial took place in his home village of Xai-Xai.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
SCA dismisses patient’s appeal over informed consent
Informed consent a moral and legal requirement
Failure to obtain informed consent – a criminal offence?