“Very Very Sad”: SA Mourns Death of One Conjoined Twin Separated in Groundbreaking Limpopo Surgery

• One of the conjoined twin boys successfully separated in a historic Limpopo surgery has passed away
• The twins were born joined at the abdomen on 28 January 2026 and underwent an eight-hour separation surgery
• People flooded social media with condolences for the family while praising the medical team for their efforts

South Africa woke up to heartbreaking news on Good Friday when Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba confirmed that one of the conjoined twin boys, separated in a groundbreaking surgery at Mankweng Hospital in Limpopo, had passed away. She made the announcement at a media briefing at the hospital. She said that she had received the call early that morning. The twins were born on 28 January 2026 to a 29-year-old mother. They were referred urgently from Maphutha Malatjie Hospital in Namakgale after the condition was identified during labour.

The separation surgery, led by Professor Nyaweleni Tshifularo, began at 7:45 am and ran for approximately eight hours. The surgery concluded shortly after 3 pm. Two weeks after the procedure, reports confirmed the surgery had been a success. Both of the boys had been separated. However, complications began around day five after the operation when signs of infection emerged.

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SA mourns the loss of the conjoined twin

The news deeply saddened South Africans after the surgery was performed by the staff at Mankweng hospital:

@Dikeledi Mogošadi Mkhwanazi said:

"The doctors did exceptional work. Well done to them. But I guess nature had its own mind. May the family be comforted."

@Wisani Mathebula added:

"I take nothing away from the doctors. They did their best. Condolences to the family."

@Sthembile Kubheka noted:

"That's very, very sad. There are very few conjoined twins in the world that make it past 10 years of age. With separation surgery, there's always a 50% chance that one of the twins won't live long."

@Ronald Tshepo said:

"RIP. The complexity of conjoined twins in some cases has one succumbing. Overall, the doctors have done exceptional work."

@Sipho Headman Khumalo wrote:

"Doctors tried their best."

@Cleo Clio Mto added:

"Let's pray for the remaining twin to live and be a model."

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@Litaba Samuel Molele shared:

"It's the same story of Mpho le Mphonyana. May the soul rest in peace. Amen."

@Siphola Wabantwana said:

"Separation of conjoined twins is not that easy."

@Nicholas Sandile wrote:

"That's why you sign a consent form before any operation. RIP."

@MJ Molele said:

"Rest in peace, nana."

@Muiva Thambu-Junior added:

"Doctors tried, but the unexpected happened. RIP."

@Albert Mmapheka Albert Modiba wrote:

"Condolences to the family."

@Qhamani Brian Oliphant said:

"The doctors tried their utmost best. Condolences to the family."

More on South African medical news

• Briefly News recently reported on a KwaZulu-Natal medical team that made history on the South Coast by removing a brain tumour through a patient's nose.
• A 27-year-old rugby star announced his retirement after a health battle that had been going on for years.
• Reality TV star Jojo Robinson opened up about a personal health scare ahead of surgery.

Source: Briefly News