Steve Biko surgeons in culpable homicide case still working at hospital
The two surgeons from Steve Biko academic hospital who are facing culpable homicide charges are still working at the hospital.
The two surgeons from Steve Biko academic hospital who are facing culpable homicide charges are still working at the hospital.
Professor Letlhagolela Meshack Ntlhe and Dr Mpho Stephens Sandamela briefly appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and their case was postponed to 12 May.
State prosecutor Tumi Phongole asked regional magistrate AC Bekker for a postponement, allowing the state time to obtain additional information.
“The state has to respond to further particulars supplied by the defence,” Phongole said.
Health department spokesperson Steve Mabona said the two were still employed by the department and were not suspended.
“They are still working and we have not taken any action against them. We are also supporting them as we are representing them in court,” Mabona said.
The surgeons are facing these charges following the death of a patient, James Swart (63). They operated on Swart to remove a tumour near his kidneys that had been causing high blood pressure.
According Medical Brief (read more here https://www.medicalbrief.co.za/archives/pretoria-surgeons-on-culpable-homicide-charges-after-operating-theatre-death/),
Swart called his wife Lillian on the day of the operation at 07:00 saying, “I am going in now, I will see you later”.
The following day Swart’s family was given 15 minutes to say what ended up being their last goodbye’s to him as he lay unconscious.
Lillian said her husband was given a computerised tomography scan on the basis that both doctors informed him he had a tumour in one of his adrenal glands which was causing his high blood pressure.
Meanwhile two experts, a state pathologist and a specialist surgeon who investigated the cause of death, had found that simple urine and blood tests would have shown the existence of a tumour on Swart.
Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HCPSA) communications manager Priscilla Sekhonyana said the matter was discussed at the fourth committee of preliminary inquiry meeting.
“This complaint could however not be considered by the committee due to time constraints and it was therefore resolved that it be deferred to the committee’s follow-up meeting wherein all the deferred matters will be considered. The said meeting has been scheduled for 11 and 12 April,” Sekhonyana said.
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