NPA set to continue with case against Dr Beale

The 73-year-old Beale and slain anaesthetist Dr Abdulhay Munshi are being blamed for the death of a 10-year-old patient following routine medical surgery.

Munshi was shot and killed in an apparent hit in Orange Grove in Johannesburg last week while the Sunday Times reports that Beale has gone into hiding.

Law enforcement agencies have come under fire for the prosecution of the two medical practitioners, with the Health Practitioners Council of SA chair Dr Kgosi Letlape being quoted as saying it opens the sector up to vigilantism.

But the NPA in Gauteng says if it appears that a medical practitioner may have acted in a manner that resulted in the negligent loss of life, it is duty-bound to take action.

"The decision to prosecute Dr Beale and Dr Munshi meant that there was no need to refer the matter for an inquest hearing. Furthermore, the NPA reiterates that the rights to equality before the law applies to every citizen within the borders of South Africa,” says NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.

LISTEN TO PHINDI MJONONDWANE HERE:

"It is therefore our view that, if medical practitioners, in the execution of their duties, act within the confines of the law, then they do not have to fear criminal prosecution.”

She says the charges against Munshi will be withdrawn as soon as the prosecution receives a copy of the death certificate.

Dr Beale is expected to be back in court on 16 November.

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