Horror Clinic: Pretoria Midwife Found Guilty Over Baby Deaths And Disabilities

A Pretoria midwife, Yolande Maritz Fouchee, has been found guilty of multiple charges linked to the deaths and disabilities of babies under her care.

The verdict was delivered on Wednesday, with the court ruling that she will remain behind bars until sentencing.

Fouchee, who previously operated the You&Me birth clinic in Pretoria East, faced 14 charges, including assault and culpable homicide. Among the cases was the death of nine-day-old Noah Von Kloeg.

Midwife’s Dangerous Practices and Ignored Complications Exposed

According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, the offences occurred between 2019 and 2020 while Fouchee was providing pregnancy care and assisting births.

“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,” Mahanjana said.

Despite claiming she only handled normal to low-risk births, evidence presented in court showed that she administered substances such as Cytotec and oxytocin to induce and intensify labour.

“On 3 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,” Mahanjana said.

Victims reported her to the South African Nursing Council in 2020, before criminal cases were opened at Silverton Police Station. She was later arrested at her home on 24 June 2024.

Court Hears Testimony from Experts and Victims

During the trial, Fouchee pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations.

However, state prosecutor Jennifer Cronje presented evidence from multiple witnesses, including victims, the accused’s daughter, and medical experts.

Among them were Professor Priya Soma-Pillay and Professor Izelle Smuts from Steve Biko Academic Hospital, who compiled detailed reports on antenatal care, labour, delivery and neonatal emergencies.

Emotional Reaction from Mother and Calls for Justice

One of the mothers, Carien Möller, shared an emotional response following the verdict.

“This won’t bring any babies back or correct the damage that has been done. Satan thought he could steal from us, but God has the final say, and the victory is His,” she wrote.

“Yolande Maritz, you are forgiven if you were found guilty or not. You don’t deserve it, but I also don’t deserve the Lord’s love and salvation. But He gives it to us freely.

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‘What you definitely don’t deserve is a place in my heart to make it hard, or black with bitterness because I can’t forgive you. Because I’d like to live my life with a clean heart and a joyful spirit. I know having to go through this was part of my journey. My daughters and I are part of it.”

She also expressed gratitude to those who supported her throughout the case.

“Thank you for your trust in me. Thank you to each woman who trusted me and walked away from that birthing centre,” she added.

Legal expert Cornelia van Graan described the conviction as significant.

“The manner and effectiveness of this prosecution should set a precedent and serve as a deterrent to any persons committing similar crimes,” she said.