While spokesperson Mondli Mvambi neither denied nor confirmed the MEC's alleged remark, he insisted that the MEC had every right to reprimand them after the department noticed an increase in baby fatalities at Bongani Hospital.

Mvambi’s statement followed a call from the DA for Malakoane to resign, citing his statement as arrogant and irresponsible.

"No mother should come to hospital pregnant and not leave with her baby after delivery," he said.

"When doctors make mistakes they should take responsibility, so the MEC has a right to reprimand people."

Mvambi said health practitioners at the hospital were required to do everything in their power to save lives.

"When people that are supposed to receive health services die due to preventable causes, then the department lives with a stigma that it is killing people...

"The MEC has come a long way to establish systems and ensure that the health services provide good quality care. Health is an emotive issue and must not be politicised," he said.

In 2015, the hospital recorded 32 neonatal deaths.

Mvambi attributed this to mothers who did not attend family-planning sessions.

"Women... [learn] a lot when they attend family planning. The babies that died were underweight, either because their mothers were not eating well or [because they were] even taking substances," he said.

-News24.com