KEY POINTS
- The Peter Beale trial ended in acquittal on murder and fraud charges.
- Families believe the court made an error in its ruling.
- The HPCSA will review Beale’s professional conduct after the case.
Pediatric surgeon Prof. Peter Beale was declared not guilty on three counts of murder and two counts of fraud by a Johannesburg high court on Tuesday.
Johannesburg court clears Peter Beale of all charges
In 2012, 2016, and 2019, Beale operated on three children and was charged with illegally causing their deaths. The children’s names shouldn’t be made public, the court decided.
Beale was also charged with fraud, according to the indictment, after allegedly misleading the parents of two of the children about the pathology results. The court, however, decided in his favor and cleared him of all allegations.
According to Timeslive, Beale was first charged with the same crime as anesthetist Dr. Abdulhay Munshi, who was shot and killed in September 2020.
On behalf of the relatives of the children who passed away, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni expressed their profound disappointment with the decision.
“Given the facts at its disposal, they believe the court erred in its judgment,” Mnguni stated.
Prosecution seen as a step toward medical accountability
The families were proud that the matter went to trial despite the verdict, stating that the prosecution of Beale by the National Prosecuting Authority sent a powerful message to the medical community.
Mnguni continued, “This procedure has made sure that no other family has to go through the suffering they have.”
The court sent the case to the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) for additional consideration even though Beale was found not guilty. Beale’s admission that he neglected one of the children in his care even though he knew the child was in serious condition led to the referral.
Even after his acquittal, Beale may face additional professional scrutiny as a result of the HPCSA’s review.
