A fresh complaint has been lodged with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) against Stellenbosch radiologist Dr Pieter Henning following the death of a patient at MooiMed Private Hospital in Potchefstroom, North West.

The complaint was filed by an ICU nurse who alleges Henning’s actions during a medical procedure led to a fatal outcome in July 2023. Henning is described as the public face and founder or co-founder of Keystone Radiology which has offices in Stellenbosch and George.

Nurse's Allegations

According to the complaint, the patient was being treated for pleural effusion and required insertion of a pleural drain to help with breathing. The nurse alleges Henning struggled to remove a guidewire from the drain, then pulled with such force that it began to uncoil.

She further claims Henning cut off the safety tip of a pigtail drain before reinserting it. After reinsertion, the nurse alleges fresh blood flowed from the drain. Despite emergency intervention and resuscitation efforts, the patient reportedly went into cardiac arrest and died shortly afterwards.

The nurse described the incident as traumatic and said she delayed reporting it for nearly two years after she was allegedly told an internal investigation would be done, but it never materialised.

HPCSA Probe and Other Allegations

The HPCSA has confirmed it is investigating the complaint and following its prescribed procedures.

Separate allegations of impairment have also been raised and are reportedly being considered. These include claims linked to pethidine, a Schedule 6 opioid, and an allegation from a witness that Henning injected himself before seeing patients. Henning has denied the impairment and substance-related allegations.

Gun Charge Case

Henning is also facing criminal charges unrelated to his medical practice. He was arrested in November 2025 after allegedly discharging a firearm in a public place and causing property damage at Techno Park in Stellenbosch. He was released on R1 000 bail and is due back in court on 30 March 2026.

Lenmed Hospital Group, which manages MooiMed, said it could not comment on specific patient care matters due to confidentiality obligations. Keystone Radiology has declined to comment while legal and professional processes continue.