January 19, 2005
Sister Wilhemien Charles and the Kopanong Hospital

Embargo: Immediate release
Enquiries: John Smyth, QC - (Legal spokesperson, DFL) Cell: +27 83 653 8804


Dr. Albu van Eeden, John Smyth and Sister Charles interviewed at the Equality Court

•        DFL and Sister Charles have decided they do not wish their case to go to the Labour Court but instead will take the case to the High Court. As soon as a date is fixed for hearing we will issue a further Press release.

•        Sister Charles, a Chief Professional Nurse with special qualifications in Theatre work, was barred from working in theatre at the Kopanang Hospital in Vereeniging because she had taken a stand on her constitutional right not to do abortion cases on the ground of her Christian beliefs. The new Equality Courts set up under the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 2000, provide a fast-track procedure for dealing with cases of this nature. The theatre sister and Doctors for Life are claiming against the Hospital, the MEC and National Minister of Health:

1.     An unconditional apology.
2.     Damages for the impairment of her dignity, and for emotional and psychological suffering, in the sum of R50,000 and costs.
3.     Orders directing the Gauteng Health Department and MEC, and the National Minister of Health to prevent unfair discriminatory practices on the ground of religion, conscience or belief at the Kopanong Hospital and at Health facilities nation-wide.

‘Doctors for Life International’ represents more than 1000 medical doctors and specialists, three-quarters of who practise in South Africa . DFL was founded as a South African organisation in 1991 and has spread across the globe. DFL is involved in several community projects including orphan care, the care of terminal AIDS patients, malaria prevention and the care of abused women.


Dr. Albu van Eeden (far right) during the hearings.


The Doctors For Life team; (from the left) Mr. John Smyth QC, Dr. Albu van Eeden (CEO),
Dr. Bola Omoniyi, Dr. Evan Seobi (Exec. Member), Mr. Martus de Wet and Mr. Shadrack Mafutsa




Sister Charles during an interview


From the legal dept. of DFL, Mr. M. de Wet and Mr. S Mafutsa

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For more information, contact John Smyth QC, legal spokesperson (083 653 8804).

Doctors For Life International represent more than 1000 medical doctors and specialists; three-quarters of whom practice in South Africa . Doctors For Life was founded as a South African organisation in 1991 and has spread across the globe. DFL is involved in several community projects including orphan care, the care of terminal AIDS patients, malaria prevention and the care of abused women. Please go to: www.doctorsforlifeinternational.com for more information about these projects.

Further Reading:

DFL's stance on abortion: statistics, literiture, press releases etc
Other Court Cases where DFL is involved
Other Issues