By Mapaballo Borotho
SHVETS production from Pexels
- A former midwife has been found guilty of murder and multiple offences linked to the treatment of pregnant women in Gauteng.
- The court heard that she failed to address complications and administered medication without patients’ knowledge.
- The case has been postponed to May 2026 for sentencing.
The Pretoria High Court has found Yolande Maritz Fouchee guilty of murder of a nine-day-old baby, six counts of assault, fraud, employing an unqualified person, and five counts of assault involving a legal duty.
The 48-year-old Fouchee is the owner and former midwife of You and Me Midwife-led Maternity Care.
She used to perform duties as a midwife, including conducting pregnancy check-ups and assisting women to give birth at her practice in Murrayfield between 2019 and 2020.
During the pregnancy and birthing process, she overlooked complications in her patients and failed to refer them to appropriate specialists.
Furthermore, she gave pregnant mothers water mixed with Cytotec or Oxytocin to induce and augment labour without their knowledge.
One of the victims whose labour was induced gave birth, and nine days later, her baby died due to complications that were overlooked by the former midwife.
She was reported to the South African Nursing Council in 2020, and criminal cases were opened at the Silverton police station.
Investigations led to her arrest in 2024.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the matter has been postponed to 25 May 2026 for sentencing proceedings.
“The Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in Gauteng, Advocate Marika Jansen Van Vuuren, hopes this judgment provides some justice and closure for the victims and their families,” said Mahanjana.
READ NEXT: Sandton chase ends in arrest after attempted hotel robbery
The post Former midwife found guilty of murder and assault in cases involving pregnant women appeared first on KAYA 959.