A king's ransom for the taxpayer

A PONDO king is enjoying a 19-month stay at a top government hospital - at the expense of taxpayers.

King Mpondombini Sigcau, 69, of eastern Pondoland in the Eastern Cape, has been hospitalised at Pretoria's 1 Military Hospital since May 4 last year.

This, while scores of sick South Africans queue for months for a bed to free up at a government hospital.

Sigcau was flown by military helicopter from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape and had both legs amputated below the knee in May and September last year, respectively, following diabetes complications.

But doctors have told the Sunday Times that it was no longer necessary for him to be hospitalised - although Sigcau and his family maintain otherwise.

Patients who have had double amputations generally spend a maximum of three weeks in hospital.

Sigcau, who has been living in a private room, would have had to pay more than R2.1-million if he had been a patient at Pretoria's Unitas hospital for the same period.

His private room is equipped with a bar fridge, a microwave and a two-seater couch which, Sigcau told the Sunday Times, had been provided by the hospital.

The hospital treats members of the South African National Defence Force and their families as well as President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, former presidents and deputy presidents and foreign dignitaries.

South Africa's 13 kings may also be eligible for treatment if they make a request through the Presidency, according to the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa).

Sigcau livesat the Qaukeni Royal House near Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape and was dethroned in July last year after the Nhlapo commission recognised his nephew, Zanozuko Sigcau, as the legitimate king.

Sigcau's court appeal against the findings is pending and his lawyer, Moray Hathorn, said Sigcau remained king pending the outcome of his challenge .

Speaking on condition of anonymity, two senior doctors said Sigcau did not require hospitalisation.

"He's getting diabetic medication but he could take the same thing while sitting at home."

They said no other patient had stayed at the hospital for that long.

"He receives three meals, fresh sheets and his room is cleaned.

"It's a waste of taxpayers' money," said one.

"The impression I get is that he's lodging there," said another.

But the Royal House of AmaMpondo said claims that Sigcau's stay was a burden to taxpayers was "nonsense".

Spokesman John Clarke said "to question whether taxpayers money has been well spent in affording him medical treatment is as ridiculous as is asking if Nelson Mandela should be afforded the same".

He said the king was "very eager" to be discharged but needed extensive rehabilitation by a physiotherapist "to achieve independent mobility".

"He needs daily physiotherapy and support to enable him to master the prosthetics. Such care and therapy is available at 1 Military Hospital but not at his royal residence at Qaukeni.

"When he will be discharged will be a matter of judgment by his medical team in consultation with the family. He will return home as soon as his medical circumstances permit," said Clarke.

Chief Phatekile Holomisa, president of Contralesa, said that if the king's medical condition warranted such an extended hospital stay, "then he must be in hospital".

Dr Norman Mabasa, a spokesman for the South African Medical Association, said there have been many cases of patients being discharged early from public hospitals because of a shortage of beds.

"We have seen people being sent home to be rehabilitated by their families because hospitals can't cope."

The Department of Defence did not respond to questions on the cost of Sigcau's stay or why he has remained in hospital for so long.