A former midwife was convicted after a newborn died following botched birth care.
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Former midwife Yolande Maritz Fouchee has been found guilty by the Pretoria High Court on multiple charges, including culpable homicide in the death of a nine-day-old baby, six counts of assault, fraud, employing an unqualified person, and five additional counts of assault involving a legal duty.
The 48-year-old from Murrayfield owned and operated You and Me Midwife-led Maternity Care.
In a statement released on Thursday, the National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the ruling by the Pretoria High Court, and described her horrifying actions.
"Between 2019 and 2020, Fouchee would administer functions as a midwife, such as running pregnancy check-ups for pregnant women and assisting them to give birth at Fouchee’s practice in Murrayfield. During the pregnancy and birthing process of those women, Fouchee would overlook pregnancy complications in respect of her patients and not refer them to the appropriate specialists
"Fouchee would also say to the pregnant women that she is capable of performing normal to low-risk birthing. During the birthing process, Fouchee would offer the pregnant mothers water mixed with Cytotec or Oxytocin in order to induce and augment their labour without their knowledge."
The NPA revealed that on April 3 2019, one of the victims’ labour was induced. She gave birth, and 9 days later her baby died due to the complications overlooked by Fouchee.
In 2020, one of the victims reported Fouchee to the South African Nursing Council, and criminal cases against her were opened at Silverton police station.
After an investigation by the police, Fouchee was arrested on June 24 2024 at her place of residence.
Fouchee pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against her and denied committing the offences.
Fouchee pleaded not guilty to all charges.
However, State Prosecutor Advocate Jennifer Cronje presented evidence from multiple witnesses, including Fouchee’s daughter, victims, and medical experts Professor Priya Soma-Pillay and Professor Izelle Smuts from Steve Biko Academic Hospital. Their testimony and detailed medical reports on antenatal care, labour, delivery, and neonatal emergency care were instrumental in securing the conviction.
The matter has been postponed to May 25 2026 for sentencing proceedings.
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