Grassy Park Teen Mom Dies After Birth — Family Claims Staff “Spread Her Legs Too Wide During Childbirth”

A grieving grandmother from Grassy Park, Western Cape, is seeking answers after her 14-year-old daughter died just weeks after giving birth, allegedly following complications linked to an infection.

Yvonne Mbina, who lives in Phumlani Village, says her daughter Sibahle Mbina delivered a baby naturally on 11 January at the Midwife Obstetrics Unit (MOU) at Retreat Day Hospital and was discharged the same day.

Grassy Park Teen Mom’s Condition Deteriorates After Discharge

According to Mbina, her daughter began complaining of hip pain shortly after returning home.

“After she was discharged, she was always complaining about her hip. I helped her and the baby to make sure they were washed.

“A few days after being discharged, she went back to the Retreat for a check-up. After that, she walked back home, and one Sunday, she was complaining, saying that she was in a lot of pain, and she went back to Retreat.

“They then transferred her to Groote Schuur due to her being under trauma, as they say. On Monday, 2 February, they said she was brain-dead. I didn’t understand.”

Sibahle was later treated at Groote Schuur Hospital, where she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

It is alleged that she developed an infection in her hips which spread to her brain and kidneys, leading to organ failure.

Family Alleges Infection Linked to Childbirth

Mbina claims doctors performed surgery to drain an infection in her daughter’s hip, but her condition worsened.

“They did an operation on her hip to drain the infection, but both of her kidneys failed. They said that the infection spread all over her body, apparently due to the birth, because the Retreat people spread her legs so wide during birth.”

Sibahle passed away on 5 February. She leaves behind her newborn baby and her mother.

The heartbroken grandmother says she is now raising her grandchild without her daughter.

“I am happy that I still have something to remember Sibahle, but I am not happy that I am not going to see my child anymore and that she is not going to go to school anymore.

“Whoever helped her give birth needs to give answers.”

Health Department Responds to Allegations

The Western Cape Government Department of Health and Wellness, which oversees both Retreat Day Hospital and Groote Schuur Hospital, said it could not comment in detail due to patient confidentiality.

Spokesperson Esethu Madlwabinga confirmed:

“Groote Schuur Hospital can confirm that the patient received medical care in the Intensive Care Unit, where she sadly passed away.

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“In accordance with standard protocol, all cases in which the cause of death is not immediately known are referred for a forensic post-mortem examination. This case was therefore referred for a post-mortem.

“As part of best practice, all maternal-related deaths are reviewed by a multidisciplinary team, after which the relevant documentation is submitted to the National Committee for Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths.”

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding Sibahle’s death are ongoing.