Former Pretoria midwife Yolande Fouchee guilty of culpable homicide
The High Court in Pretoria has found owner and former midwife at You and Me Midwife-led Maternity Care, Yolande Maritz Fouchee, guilty on several charges relating to her practice.
On Wednesday, Fouchee was found guilty of culpable homicide of nine days old Noah Von Kloeg, six counts of assault, fraud, employment of an unqualified person, and five counts of assault involving a legal duty.
It’s alleged that between 2019 to 2020, Fouchee would administer functions as a midwife, such as antenatal clinics, and assist women to deliver their children at her Murrayfield facility.
“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,” said National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.
Despite her pleading not guilty to all charges, the court found that Fouchee’s conduct led to the death of Noah von Kloeg.
“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. On 03 April 2019, one of the victims’ labour was induced. She gave birth, and nine days later her baby died due to the complications overlooked by Fouchee.”
The victims reported Fouchee to the South African Nursing Council in 2022, and criminal cases against her were opened at Silverton police station resulting her arrest in June 2024.
Following Wednesday’s verdict, the matter returns to court on 25 May.
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