InsaToday 
The Pretoria High Court has found a former midwife guilty on multiple charges linked to the death of a newborn baby and the mistreatment of several pregnant women.
Guilty on Multiple Charges
Yolande Maritz Fouchee (48), owner of You and Me Midwife-led Maternity Care in Murrayfield, was convicted of:
- Culpable homicide of a 9-day-old baby
- Six counts of assault
- Fraud
- Employing an unqualified person
- Five additional counts of assault involving a legal duty
The case relates to incidents that took place between 2019 and 2020.
Unsafe Practices Exposed
During the trial, the court heard that Fouchee continued to operate as a midwife, conducting pregnancy check-ups and assisting with childbirth despite serious concerns about her conduct.
Evidence revealed that she:
- Failed to identify and respond to pregnancy complications
- Did not refer patients to appropriate medical specialists
- Claimed she could manage normal to low-risk births
More concerningly, the court found that she administered substances such as Cytotec and Oxytocin to induce or accelerate labour without the patients’ knowledge.
Baby’s Death Linked to Negligence
In one of the most serious incidents, a mother’s labour was induced on 3 April 2019. Although the baby was born, the child died nine days later due to complications that had allegedly been overlooked.
Medical experts from Steve Biko Academic Hospital presented detailed reports during the trial, outlining failures in antenatal care, labour management, and neonatal emergency response.
Case Built on Expert Testimony
The prosecution, led by Advocate Jennifer Cronje, relied on testimony from:
- Victims
- Fouchee’s daughter
- Medical experts
Their evidence ultimately convinced the court beyond reasonable doubt, despite Fouchee pleading not guilty and denying all charges.
Arrest and Investigation
Fouchee was reported to the South African Nursing Council in 2020, prompting an investigation.
She was later arrested on 24 June 2024 at her home. The case was registered at Silverton police station before being escalated to the High Court.
Sentencing Pending
The matter has been postponed to 25 May 2026 for sentencing proceedings.
Wider Implications
The case has raised serious concerns about oversight in private maternity care and the risks posed by unregulated or negligent medical practices.
Authorities have reiterated the importance of ensuring that healthcare providers operate within professional and legal standards to protect patients, particularly vulnerable mothers and newborns
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