Culpable homicide case against surgeons postponed again
Further investigations was the reason for the postponement of the culpable homicide case involving two surgeons from Steve Biko Academic hospital.
The court case against two surgeons charged with culpable homicide in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court was postponed for further investigation on Thursday.
Professor Letlhogela Ntlhe and Dr Mpho Sandamela face the charge following the death of James Swart (63) who had been admitted to Steve Biko academic hospital in February 2014.
The two medical practitioners were accused of misdiagnosing and operated, twice, to remove a tumour in Swart’s adrenal gland which was allegedly causing his blood pressure to rise.
The two had based their diagnosis on a computerised tomography (CT) scan.
Postmortem tests by two other doctors later concluded Swart probably did not have a tumour and that his physicians had erred.
The postmortem doctors claimed the treating doctors would have known that Swart did not have a tumour, had they done a simple blood and urine test.
An inquest concluded the treating doctors had been negligent hence the culpable homicide charge.
It was reported in the media on the day of his surgery, Swart had called his wife to say: “I am going in now, I will see you later.”
The following day, the family was called and had only 15 minutes to say their goodbyes as Swart lay unconscious.
The two charged doctors are expected back in court on 9 June.
Also read:
Steve Biko surgeons in culpable homicide case still working at hospital
Two surgeons to appear on charges of culpable homicide
New mom’s horror at state hospital
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