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Gauteng MEC for Health Dr Gwen Ramokgopa has reacted with shock to an alleged sexual assault against a patient by a sessional doctor based at Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital at Krugersdorp. This incident is alleged to have taken place yesterday morning.

Upon hearing about the matter, the hospital management assisted the victim and alerted the specialist Family Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit of the South African Police Service where the sexual assault case was opened.

The victim was then referred to Leratong Hospital’s crisis centre for clinical assessment, trauma counselling and collection of evidence.

“I am saddened by these allegations and it’s difficult for me to comprehend how can a professional entrusted to look after our vulnerable patients commit such a heinous act.

Although we are allowing the police to do their work, we should send a strong message to our employees and community members at large that sexual assaults are human rights violations and should be strongly condemned and the perpetrators should face the might of the law”, said MEC Ramokgopa.

“The department views this incident in a serious lightly and we have since stopped the services of the alleged perpetrator with immediate effect. This incident should not have happened in the first place as doctors are trained to look and care for our patients and not abuse them in any form. The implicated doctor will also be reported to the Health Profession Council of South Africa for his alleged misconduct”, emphasized MEC Ramokgopa.

Issued by Gauteng Health