Limpopo health department pursues action against doctor accused of attempted rape

The Limpopo department of health has launched disciplinary proceedings against a medical doctor accused of attempting to rape a pregnant patient during an ultrasound procedure at George Masebe Hospital in Mokopane.

Department spokesperson Neil Shikwambana said the disciplinary action follows the conclusion of a formal internal investigation into the alleged incident, which took place last month in the hospital's sonar room during a scheduled abdominal scan.

“Guided by the outcomes of a thorough internal investigation, the department has decided to prefer charges of misconduct and is pursuing disciplinary action against the medical doctor who allegedly attempted to rape a pregnant patient.

“A duly constituted disciplinary panel has been established, and proceedings are under way,” said Shikwambana.

The department said it had moved swiftly after receiving the complaint to protect the patient and initiate a formal inquiry in accordance with public service protocols.

“The department takes allegations of sexual misconduct within healthcare facilities with the utmost seriousness. Upon receiving the complaint, immediate steps were taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the affected patient while initiating a formal investigative process,” said Shikwambana.

Limpopo health MEC Dieketseng Mashego said: “While we uphold the principle of innocent until proven guilty, we wish to reiterate our zero-tolerance stance on any form of abuse or misconduct within our facilities. Patients deserve to receive care in a safe and respectful environment. Any breach of this trust will be met with decisive action.” 

The doctor remains unnamed at this stage, and it is not yet clear whether criminal charges have been filed in addition to the internal disciplinary case.

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