NPA commits to studying Beale judgement clearing him of murders of 3 minor patients

JOHANNESBURG - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has committed to studying the judgment handed down against paediatric surgeon Peter Beale clearing him of the murders of three minor patients.  

Beale was found not guilty on three counts of murder and two counts of fraud in the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday, following his arrest in 2019.  

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The case divided the medical fraternity, with many complaining that the law scrutinised them unfairly.  

On Tuesday, the Johannesburg High Court heard how the State’s case against paediatric Beale was weak and lacked compelling evidence.  

Beale was arrested in 2019 and charged with the murders of three of his minor patients, who died shortly after he operated on them in 2012, 2016, and 2019 respectively.  

NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said, “As the NPA, we are satisfied that we have done all of our best. We called professors, we called medical practitioners, we placed all the necessary and relevant evidence before court.”  

She added that they couldn’t fault some of their expert witnesses, who the judge deemed contradictory in some of their statements.  

“We cannot fault them as the State. They were credible witnesses, and they came and told the court what they knew about the procedures that were performed on the deceased, the interaction that they themselves had with the deceased, as well as the advice they gave to the accused person.”  

The NPA said they will peruse the judgment and be in contact with the families of the victims.