The Ministry of Health is saddened by the death of two Cuba based medical students.

The Ministry of Health has learned with shock and sadness about the passing on of two of the final year Cuba based South African medical students. We are informed that students had hired a house for a birthday party. Two of the students drowned and died in the swimming pool. They are Sihle Cebo Makhaye and Sibusiso Thanks Ngeleka both from KwaZulu-Natal.

The Minister said “Our hearts and thoughts are with the family, relatives, colleagues and friends of the deceased in this darkest hour. We express our sincere condolences”.

The Department of Health in Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) is arranging trauma counseling for members of the family.

Statement issued by Popo Maja, Ministry of Health: Spokesperson, 4 December 2017