A medical doctor who has been convicted of professional misconduct after admitting to having sex with one of his patients escaped with a suspended sentence yesterday.
Dr Mashudu Silimela, who was last month found guilty by the Health Professions Council of SA's disciplinary committee, faced being removed from the council register for his actions. This would mean that he would not be able to practise as a medical doctor for as long as the sentence was in effect.
But he was let off the hook when the committee decided that his removal from the register would be conditionally suspended for three years.
Silimela had pleaded not guilty to charges of misconduct, claiming that he was in a romantic relationship with the patient at the time and that this did not amount to misconduct.
However, his victim had testified that he had sex with her without her consent and insinuated that she had been drugged shortly before the incident happened.
Silimela was a doctor at the Tshilidzani Hospital in Venda at the time, and currently has his own practice and also does sessions at the Donald Fraser Hospital in the same area.
The committee last month described Silimela's conduct as "disgraceful" before handing down its guilty verdict, saying he had put the medical profession into disrepute.
Asked by the Pretoria News whether he regretted his actions last month, Silimela said he did not regret anything and continued to maintain his innocence.
However, he changed his tune yesterday when pleading with the committee to impose a minimum sentence, saying he regretted the situation he found himself in.
Silimela also said after the sentence he was relieved that he was able to continue practising as his future had been uncertain.
"When I came here I had no idea whether I would be able to wake up and go to work the following day but I am relieved that I can.
"This has been going on for a long time and I am glad that it is finally over and I can continue with my life," he said.
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