Former Pretoria Midwife Yolande Maritz Fouchee Handed 23-Year Sentence for Assaults on Pregnant Clients

In a landmark ruling that has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s maternity care sector, the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Thursday sentenced former midwife Yolande Maritz Fouchee to 23 years’ direct imprisonment. Fouchee, the owner of You and Me Midwife-led Maternity Care, was convicted on multiple counts of assault after a harrowing trial that exposed a pattern of physical and psychological abuse against expectant mothers under her care.

The Crimes That Shocked the Nation

Justice Nomgcobo Jiba delivered the sentence after finding Fouchee guilty of 14 counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, four counts of common assault, and two counts of fraud related to falsified medical records. The court heard evidence spanning 2018 to 2022, during which at least 19 women came forward with complaints ranging from unnecessary and violent internal examinations to physical strikes during labour.

One victim, identified only as “Ms A” to protect her identity, testified that Fouchee struck her across the face during a home birth when she requested transfer to hospital. “She told me to stop being dramatic and pushed my legs apart with such force I needed stitches afterwards,” the woman told the court. Similar accounts described Fouchee ignoring requests for pain relief, performing procedures without consent, and threatening to withhold care if women questioned her methods.

Background on You and Me Midwife-led Maternity Care

Fouchee established her practice in 2015 in Pretoria East, marketing it as a holistic, women-centred alternative to hospital births. At its peak, the business handled over 200 deliveries annually and employed three assistant midwives. Marketing materials promised “empowered, natural births free from medical intervention,” a message that resonated with many first-time mothers seeking to avoid what they perceived as over-medicalised hospital environments.

However, the trial revealed that Fouchee lacked formal registration with the South African Nursing Council for several years after her initial licence lapsed in 2017. She continued practising by using the credentials of a retired colleague, a fact uncovered during a routine audit by the Department of Health in late 2022.

Expert Perspectives on Midwifery Standards

Professor Thandi Mokoena, head of midwifery at the University of the Witwatersrand, provided expert testimony during the trial. “Consent and bodily autonomy are non-negotiable pillars of modern midwifery,” Mokoena told Global1 News. “What the court heard describes a complete breakdown of those principles. Physical force has no place in labour care.”

Health ombudsperson Dr. Sello Mokoena (no relation) has since called for a nationwide review of independent midwifery practices. “We need stricter oversight, including mandatory body-worn cameras for home visits and real-time reporting to a central database,” he said in a statement released after the sentencing.

Impact on Victims and Families

Many of the women affected have spoken about long-term trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder, difficulty bonding with their babies, and reluctance to seek future medical care. Several victims have launched civil claims against Fouchee’s estate and the practice’s insurers, with total damages estimated to exceed R12 million.

Support groups such as Birth Trauma South Africa have reported a surge in calls since the verdict. “This case has validated what many survivors have been saying for years—that abuse in maternity care is real and must be addressed,” said organisation spokesperson Lerato Dlamini.

Broader Implications for South African Healthcare

The Fouchee case highlights systemic gaps in the regulation of private midwifery. While the Nursing Act of 2005 requires annual registration, enforcement has historically been weak, particularly for sole practitioners operating from home. The Department of Health has indicated it will fast-track new regulations requiring independent midwives to maintain continuous professional development and submit annual practice audits.

Legal analysts note that the 23-year sentence—effectively 18 years after partial concurrency—sets an important precedent. “Courts are sending a clear message that professionals who exploit positions of trust will face the full force of the law,” said criminal law expert Advocate Palesa Molefe.

As the dust settles on this case, pregnant women across Gauteng are being urged to verify practitioners’ credentials through the South African Nursing Council website before engaging private midwives. The conviction serves as a stark reminder that trust in healthcare must be earned and protected at every level.

This is Dante Williams for Global1 News, reporting from Johannesburg. 🇿🇦