69-Year-Old Newcastle Doctor Arrested Over Alleged Sexual Assault of Patients
- A 69-year-old doctor has been arrested in Newcastle following allegations that he sexually assaulted female patients at a Madadeni hospital
- Police say the suspect allegedly touched victims inappropriately during consultations and, in some cases, forced them to perform sexual acts
- Investigations were launched after a whistleblower alerted authorities, with police warning that more charges could follow
- Newcastle Crisis Centre manager Mary Dobbie provided insight into cases of this nature, while local journalist Zianne Leibrandt shared updates with Briefly News
Source: Getty Images
NEWCASTLE - A 69-year-old medical doctor has been arrested in Newcastle after allegations that he sexually assaulted multiple female patients at a hospital in Madadeni.
The incidents are alleged to have taken place at a hospital in Madadeni Hospital between August 2025 and April 2026.
Police investigations unveiled the assault
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the doctor allegedly inappropriately touched patients on their breasts and private parts during consultations. In some cases, it is further alleged that he forced victims to perform sexual acts on him.
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Police say the matter came to light after victims reported the abuse to a whistleblower, who anonymously alerted authorities. Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit detectives followed up on the tip-offs, and investigations led to the suspect’s arrest after formal cases were opened.
Authorities say additional charges could still be added if more victims come forward. According to Newcastle Advertiser journalist Zianne Leibrandt, the accused, now identified as Dr Syham Prabhakan Nair, appeared at the Madadeni Magistrates Court on 30 April 2026, where he was charged with four counts of sexual assault.
Journalist Desan Thathiah posted about the case on his X account:
South Africans on social media expressed shock and outrage
@U_Siphoz said:
"Hawu. Chances are he has been doing this for much longer. Going to jail at 69 instead of retirement is bad business"
@BrownGoje said:
"Is he a real doctor? Studied for 9 years just to lust on unwell people on their sick bed?"
@njaps12 said:
"Chances are, this has been going on for years. It can't be that it just started, no way! I hope more victims will come forward."
@MzansiFarmer said:
"This is deeply disturbing a doctor abusing patients’ trust like that Respect to the whistleblower and the victims for coming forward,hope more speak out so justice is complete."
@Mricho82 said:
"An old man nearing retirement embarrassing himself like this "
Newcastle Manager Mary Dobbie weighs in on the case
Newcastle Crisis Centre manager Mary Dobbie said cases involving people in positions of authority abusing vulnerable individuals are, regrettably, not uncommon in the community.
“This type of crime happens regularly. I would say that approximately 40% of the rape cases that come through our doors are committed by individuals in positions of power or trust. They do it simply because they believe they can,” she said.
She also added that children are most frequently targeted.
Against this backdrop, Dobbie stressed that medical facilities, schools, and all institutions working with women and children must conduct thorough background checks before hiring staff. This, she said, is crucial to ensure that individuals with relevant criminal histories are identified and prevented from accessing vulnerable people.
Doctor accused of attempting to rape a patient
In similar news, a 34-year-old male doctor allegedly attempted to rape a pregnant patient who was undergoing an abdominal ultrasound as part of her pregnancy observation at the hospital. According to Limpopo police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, in the early hours of Sunday, 27 April 2025, a 22-year-old pregnant patient informed healthcare workers on duty at George Masebe Hospital that she was allegedly sexually assaulted by a male doctor who was examining her and the staff on duty immediately informed the police. Dieketseng Mashego, the Limpopo Health MEC said she was appalled by the report.
Source: UGC
Mpumalanga nurse assaults patient
Briefly News reported that a patient was allegedly assaulted by a nurse at the Tonga Hospital in Nkomazi, Mpumalanga. The patient, Lydia Makhoba, was taken to the hospital for her diabetic foot and hypertension to be treated. She died on 27 March 2025. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mpumalanga demanded that the role two nurses who allegedly played in the assault of a patient who died be investigated.
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Source: Briefly News
