Suspended Madadeni Hospital Dr Syam Prabhakaran Nair, 66, returns to the Madadeni Magistrate’s Court on Friday over charges of sexual assault on patients.
Image: SUPPLIED
KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane, will on Friday attend the Madadeni Magistrate's Court to stand in solidarity with victims of a 66-year-old medical doctor accused of serial sexual assault.
The accused, Dr Syam Prabhakaran Nair of Newcastle. He was arrested last week at Madadeni Hospital after a whistle-blower alerted the police to harrowing complaints from female patients.
The Department of Health has confirmed that it acted proactively by placing Nair on precautionary suspension prior to his arrest.
"Let me be clear: there is no place in any of our health facilities for such conduct. Not behind closed doors, not in a consultation room, not in theatre. Nowhere. While these allegations are yet to be proven in court, the Department has acted decisively and without delay," said Simelane.
Nair faces charges of sexually assaulting four patients between August 2025 and April 2026. The charge sheet paints a grim picture: one 29-year-old woman was allegedly violated over a six-month period, while other victims reported being inappropriately touched or forced to perform sexual acts during consultations.
KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane who will be at the Madadeni Magistrate's Court to support the alleged victims of the suspended Madadeni Hospital doctor Syam Prabhakaran Nair who is facing charges of sexual assault.
Image: FILE
KZN police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, revealed that detectives from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit used anonymous tip-offs to secure the arrest.
"Should other victims come forward, more charges will be added," Netshiunda warned.
The allegations have sparked widespread outrage. Matthew Shunmugam, chairperson of the Newcastle and District Residents Forum, described the claims as a "profound betrayal of public trust."
Political pressure is also mounting. Dr Imran Keeka, chairperson of the KZN Health Portfolio Committee, confirmed that the Chief Executive Officer of Madadeni Hospital has been summoned to appear before the committee on May 15.
"This engagement will allow us to assess the adequacy of actions taken to date and the effectiveness of safeguards implemented to protect patients," Keeka said.
He emphasised that the committee would ensure there are no gaps between the criminal proceedings and the regulatory processes of professional medical bodies.
The Department of Health in KZN said it is cooperating fully with law enforcement, and internal disciplinary processes are currently running concurrently with the criminal case.