By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
One of the twins that was born conjoined in Limpopo has died on Friday morning, 03 April 2026, two weeks after the successful surgery at the Mankweng Tertiary Hospital.
The twins, who were born on 28 January 2026, at Mankweng Hospital, underwent a complex surgical procedure that marked a historic milestone for South Africa’s public healthcare system.
They were separated on 17 March 2026 at Mankweng hospital by Professor Nyaweleni Tshifularo and his team.
Prof Tshifularo said at that time the procedure was highly complex because the twins were joined at the trunk and shared certain organs.
He also shed light on how conjoined twins are formed, describing it as a rare complication during the early stages of twinning.
“It’s a part of the twinning, so they were going to be born as twins. But something happened in the abdomen, in the uterus before they are born. It’s either they didn’t separate completely and then you end up with another baby on this side and they are still stuck together,” he explained.
Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba confirmed that one of the conjoined twin boys passed away this morning at Mankweng Hospital.
Ramathuba made the announcement during a media briefing on Friday.
She said she received a call early on Good Friday informing her of the situation.
“One of our twins was experiencing multiple organ failure,” she said. A follow-up call later confirmed that, despite the team’s best efforts, the baby had sadly passed away.”
She described the day as deeply painful.
“It is supposed to be a Good Friday, but it is not a good one for us. We had hoped to see these babies grow and succeed in life.”
Ramathuba said the medical team had been closely monitoring both infants and providing regular updates. On the fifth day after surgery, concerns emerged about possible infection.
She explained that post-operative infections can lead to septicaemia, organ failure and death.
Despite the loss, Ramathuba praised the medical team’s efforts.
She added that the achievement highlights the growing capacity, skill and commitment of healthcare professionals in the province and underscores the need for continued investment in rural health facilities.
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has also expressed his condolences, describing the loss as a painful setback after a rare medical breakthrough.
He conveyed his message during a visit to the hospital on Friday, where he met the medical team and received updates on the condition of the surviving twin.
Motsoaledi’s visit, accompanied by Limpopo Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego, underscored both the pride and pain surrounding the case, a moment where medical progress met the fragile limits of human intervention.
The story has been updated with Health Minister’s statement.