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For Our Nxumalo 
2h ago
Durban – A Pietermaritzburg doctor accused of taking employees hostage in his private practice and ordering gunmen to terrorize and torture others over a lost notebook has refuted the allegations, saying “the truth will come out.”
Dr Bongiwe Constantia Nungu, owner of the Uminathi Aesthetic Clinic and Medical Center, received a bond of R20,000 this week when she appeared in Pietermaritzburg Magistrates Court.
Nungu said that the truth about what happened on the day in question would be revealed soon and that he was confident that the court would set the matter aside. He claimed that the accusations against him were to murder his character.
At the center of the case was a notebook that allegedly disappeared, but was found and was now part of the police investigation.
Nungu reportedly questioned his ten staff members about the whereabouts of a notebook in October. It closed its facilities, searched all bags, and seized cell phones to verify their call histories.
After questioning all the staff, two of them were singled out and allegedly tortured and, when they apparently still claimed to have no knowledge of the notebook, the doctor allegedly led one of them to a room where armed men were waiting.
When staff denied taking the notebook, Nungu allegedly ordered the men to take the employee with them. They allegedly put her in a vehicle and drove until they reached an isolated area.
Staff claimed that the men continued to question her about the notebook and placed a plastic bag on her head. She said one of the men covered her nose and mouth, but was saved when Nungu allegedly called to inform the men that the notebook was found on another employee. She claimed that they later took her back to the practice and threatened her with death if she opened a case.
Nungu was arrested by Loop Street Police and appeared in Pietermaritzburg Magistrates Court in November facing kidnapping charges and was released on R10,000 bail.
The case was postponed until December, but Nungu did not appear. She was then ordered to return in early February, but again there was no sign of her or her legal team.
Last Friday, the court issued an arrest warrant for her and ordered her bail of R10,000 to be forfeited. Nungu was arrested again and appeared in court on Tuesday, where she had to reapply for bail.
“We did not have the correct dates to appear in court, but that has been resolved. I was not running away, I have been operating my practice and treating my patients, ”said Nungu.
“My lawyers have advised me not to divulge much at this stage because the matter is under investigation, but the truth will come out in the next appearance.”
Priscilla Sekhonyana, a spokesperson for the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), confirmed that Nungu was registered with the HPCSA and a complaint about her alleged conduct was received and an investigation was carried out. He said the matter will be heard before the corresponding committee at its next meeting.
Sekhonyana said that although Nungu faced criminal charges, he was allowed to continue practicing. Health professionals only stopped practicing once they were suspended by the council.
“If found guilty, the council will take the necessary steps in accordance with Section 45 of the Health Professions Act, which stipulates that any registered person who, before or after registration, has been convicted of a crime by a court of justice, it can be dealt with by the professional board in terms of the provisions of this chapter ”, he said.
Sergeant Mthokozisi Ngobese from the Loop Street Police Station said Nungu was the only suspect arrested in the case and that he would appear in court again next month.
Sunday grandstand
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