Garden boy posing as gynae 'examines' women

A gardener has been charged with rape after he apparently pretended to be a gynaecologist and "examined" two heavily-pregnant women.

The 30-year-old man from Jagersfontein went to the Diamant Hospital for treatment on September 18 after being assaulted.

Free State health department spokesperson Jabu Mbalula said the man was not seriously injured and was told to go home.

He was supposed to return the next day for a follow-up examination.

But the gardener didn't go home. He apparently went to the hospital's maternity ward and although he didn't have a stethoscope and wasn't wearing a white coat, managed to convince two patients that he was a medical specialist.

Both women were about to go into labour and after he "examined" them, he was removed from the hospital by security guards.

Diamant Hospital spokesperson, Letshego Moatlhodi, referred the matter for further investigation to police. The gardener was arrested the day after the incident.

Provincial police spokesperson Captain Harry Nagel said charges of rape were being investigated against the man.

He appeared in court and was released on bail of R500.

The court case was postponed to October 19.