Two victims were admitted to hospital for medical treatment and were unable to walk properly after undergoing alleged unsafe medical circumcisions in Slaaphoek village, under the Maleboho policing area in Limpopo.
Police have arrested 66-year-old Mashilo Kgathi, who was suspended as a medical doctor by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) in 2021, for allegedly performing the procedures without authorisation.
Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the arrest followed a community tip-off received on Thursday, July 1, 2026, after a concerned resident reported disturbing images showing male victims with septic wounds following circumcision procedures conducted in an unsafe environment.
“It was further reported that two of the victims had been admitted to a hospital for medical treatment and were unable to walk properly,” Ledwaba said.
Authorities at a local hospital confirmed to police that Kgathi had been suspended by the HPCSA in 2021 and was not authorised to practise as a medical doctor.
On Monday, July 6, 2026, traditional leaders, together with police, conducted a health compliance inspection at the premises where the procedures were allegedly being carried out.
“Upon arrival, they found a large number of young males, some experiencing severe pain in their private parts and others waiting to be circumcised,” Ledwaba said.
He said the procedures were allegedly being conducted in an unhygienic room with no basin or running water.
The walls of the room were also blackened from firewood that had been burned inside.
Ledwaba said Kgathi was asked to produce legal documents authorising him to practise as a medical doctor but failed to do so.
“The suspect was arrested at the scene for conducting unsafe medical circumcisions under false pretences and contravening the Health Professions Act,” he said.
Kgathi appeared before the Senwabarwana Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, facing charges of fraud and contravention of the Health Professions Act.
He was remanded in police custody, and the matter was postponed to Monday, July 13, 2026, for a bail application and further police investigations at the Maleboho Periodical Court.
“Police investigations are continuing,” Ledwaba added.
IOL News
Simon Majadibodu
iol.co.za
