Zim doctor acquitted in culpable homicide case over retained surgical gauze
Masvingo Provincial Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Noel Zulu has been acquitted of culpable homicide charges. He was accused of leaving a surgical gauze in a patient’s abdomen following a 2015 operation, which allegedly led to her death eight years later.
Dr. Zulu, who was the only surgeon at Masvingo Provincial Hospital at the time, performed surgery on Gladys Sibanda in October 2015 to treat a swollen liver. Sibanda later complained of chest pains and an abnormally swollen abdomen.
The State alleged that Sibanda went back to Dr Zulu who demanded another fee to do a second surgical operation. The deceased could not raise the amount until she passed on July 15 2023 when she collapsed and died while coming from a Zanu PF rally in Zaka, alleges the State.
A post-mortem conducted by Dr. Godfrey Zimbwa discovered a 30×30 cm abdominal swab lodged in her abdomen, leading the State to argue that the gauze was the cause of Sibanda’s death. The State accused Dr. Zulu of negligence, claiming the surgical gauze was left behind during the initial operation.
However, in a recent ruling, regional magistrate Bishard Chineka acquitted Dr. Zulu, stating there was no evidence to support the State’s claim of negligence. The court ruled that Sibanda had died from liver cirrhosis, not from the retained gauze.
Dr. Zulu’s lawyer, Oliver Marwa, successfully argued for his client’s discharge, pointing to the lack of direct connection between the surgical swab and Sibanda’s cause of death.
