A doctor, suspended by the Health Professionals Council of SA, has appeared in the Senwabarwana Magistrate’s Court on charges of fraud after an inspection of his "surgery" by SAPS and traditional healers found several youngsters in severe pain after being circumcised, and others still awaiting their procedures.
Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the room was unhygienic, without any running water, with the walls blackened by smoke from an indoor fire.
The “doctor” was also charged with contravening the Health Professions Act and granted R2 000 bail. He is expected back in court on 15 September while investigations continue.
The HPCSA said the man had been suspended in 2021 for performing unauthorised circumcisions.
Health-e News reports that Doris Mosena, from Slaaphoek village in the Maleboho area, said she had paid R500 to have her son circumcised on 22 June at a surgery operating from an old shop in the village.
She was unaware, at the time, that the doctor had previously been suspended by the HPCSA.
“I was told that if the boys underwent circumcision early, the healing process was quicker. People in the community said there was a doctor doing the surgeries, even on under-10s, and so I didn’t hesitate to book my son,” she said.
But he was in severe pain after the procedure, and when his wound did not heal, she took him to the clinic – where he was referred to Helen Franz Hospital more than 20km away.
He was admitted for a week before being discharged, and is now at home where he is healing, she said.
More victims
Mosena’s son was not the only child needing medical care after being circumcised here. Another five boys were taken to public health facilities after the procedures, with the community then raising the alarm.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Doctor probed after teen dies during circumcision
Limpopo doctor allegedly botched 16 medical circumcisions
Penile rehab programme for botched circumcisions
Illegal circumcision guilty plea was under ‘non-existent Act’