The Mpumalanga health department has suspended two nurses after the body of a stillborn baby went missing from Witbank Hospital

The child was born to a woman who was 35 weeks pregnant, she knew the baby was a stillborn before undergoing a c-section according department spokesperson Dumisani Malamule.

He said the fetus was kept at the hospital over the weekend.

On Monday, 14^th December the mother returned to collect the body of the fetus for burial, she could not be helped. On her return the following day they still could not assist her and she was instead given the wrong body.

On Thursday, Malamule told News24 the body was discovered by their employees at the Witbank mortuary on Wednesday.

“The family has been informed. However, they have requested for a DNA test to be conducted, in order to confirm the identity,” said Malamule.

The department suspended two nurses at the hospital with respect to the incident.

According to Malamule, the department is conducting an internal investigation and the outcome will help decide the next course of action.

Mpumalanga Health MEC Sasekani Manzini, said such incidents are not tolerated.

“It is unacceptable that we can misplace a fetus and not be able to account for the whereabouts of the body,” she said.

“This matter must be fully investigated, and consequence management must apply.”

The family has also opened a case with SAPS for investigation.

Police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhuli said they have opened an inquiry regarding the incident.