Another couple have come forward alleging that their child was left with severe brain damage as a result of former midwife Yolande Maritz's conduct during birth.

This is according to a letter sent to the Gauteng DPP by AfriForum's private prosecution unit asking that the couple be added as complainants in the prosecution of Maritz, News24 reports.

In the letter, the unit's head, Advocate Gerrie Nel, said it was approached by the couple after Maritz made her first appearance in court on charges of assault relating to her handling of three births.

The couple allegedly could not open a case with the police because they were told that it was ‘too late’.  They turned to the unit, which now acts on their behalf.

‘After consultation, our clients were advised to draft affidavits setting out the details and conduct of the accused during the incident that caused severe brain damage,’ the letter reads.

‘A decision to add this count to the current charge sheet is awaited in anticipation.’

It is understood that the allegations by the latest couple mirror those of the other parents who are complainants in the court case.

Maritz, the owner of You & Me Birthing Centre in Pretoria, made her first appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court in July on several charges of assault following years of malpractice allegations levelled against her for her alleged mishandling of pregnancies and births.

In 2021, Maritz was deregistered as a midwife after the SA Nursing Council found her guilty of negligent and unprofessional behaviour.

She appealed the ruling, but her case was dismissed. 

News24 says the charge sheet paints a picture of a midwife who allegedly acted callously towards pregnant mothers, administering harmful drugs without their consent or knowledge, and failing to properly support, monitor and assist the mothers during labour.

In July 2019, Maritz allegedly assaulted a pregnant mother by injecting her with oxytocin in each leg against her will. The drug is used to induce labour.

She also allegedly made the mother drink a bottle of water mixed with Cytotec without her knowledge. 

Cytotec is a medication used to prevent stomach ulcers and, according to Pfizer, if given to pregnant women it may cause birth defects, abortion, premature labour or rupture of the uterus.

She is also charged with the assault of a newborn as she allegedly refused to contact emergency services during labour until the family paid R3 000, and failed to summon emergency services after the baby was born very small, blue and did not cry or breathe properly.

The baby died nine days after birth.

Maritz has also been charged with the assault of a third pregnant mother.

The former midwife appeared in court yesterday, where the matter was postponed to September.

Full News24 report