A new defence counsel has taken over the rape case against Eastern Cape nursing assistant Sibusiso Dywili.
On his appearance in court on Tuesday for trial, the prosecutor informed the court that Dywili would like to change his lawyer.
Dywili chose to change legal representation with hopes to reapply for bail. He was remanded behind bars as the case was postponed to December 11.
Dywili worked at Taylor Bequest Hospital in Matatiele where the alleged rape too place. He allegedly called the patient to the bathroom on the pretext of wanting to help her. He instead allegedly locked the door and raped her.
The incident was reported to the hospital management and the victim underwent forensic investigation at the Thuthuzela Care Centre.
While applying for bail, Dywili’s initial lawyer, highlighted that his client is a financial provider for his three young children aged between three and eight.
A witness related to Dywili told the court that the accused has a responsibility to provide for his children.
Similar case
In December 2022, a similar incident in Eastern Cape took place in Mount Ayliff, where a male medical doctor was accused of raping a 34-year-old female patient inside his consulting room.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority in the province, when a nurse left the patient with the doctor, he locked the door and demanded that she perform oral sex on him.
“When the patient refused, he allegedly overpowered and raped her. When the nurse returned, she found the door to the consulting room locked and had to knock until the alleged rapist opened,” Luxolo Tyali, NPA spokesperson, said.
Health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth spoke against the acts, saying health facilities must be safe spaces for women and all patients.
Meth said though Dywili has already been suspended, her department will conduct its own investigations on the matter. She said the department takes gender-based-violence cases seriously.
“We will not pre-empt the outcome of both the internal investigation and the criminal case, the law will take its course,” said Meth.
