GEORGE NEWS - A shooting incident and an alleged opioid addiction landed Stellenbosch radiologist Dr Pieter Henning in hot water.
Some security guards reported an armed and intoxicated suspect at an empty business premises in Techno Park, Stellenbosch, on 5 November.
Henning, the founder of Keystone Radiology, which also has offices in George, was allegedly firing some shots at the door to the vacant building, claiming he was trying to save his girlfriend from the Helderberg Hospital.
The police arrested him for discharging a firearm in a public place as well as criminal negligence with a firearm. No injuries were reported.
“The suspect was highly intoxicated at the time,” said the NPA’s Eric Ntabazalila.
Afterwards, the police located his unattended Land Rover Defender in an open field nearby. Inside, they found some rifles and additional ammunition.
According to Henning, he partakes in shooting as a sport.
Henning appeared in the Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court on 7 November and was released on R1 000 bail. He will make his next court appearance on 30 March.
Meanwhile, he is also reportedly under investigation for the alleged misuse of the Schedule 6 opioid pethidine. Some allegations are that he self-administered this drug shortly before performing medical procedures.
Henning has vehemently denied this, insisting that he is being targeted amid an unrelated civil dispute. The matter has been reported to the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
Henning said he has provided drug tests confirming no substances were present in his system.
As for the incident at Techno Park, Henning insists he handled his rifle in accordance with South African firearm legislation, keeping it under his personal control at all times.
“At no point was the firearm pointed at anyone, displayed aggressively, or used in a confrontational manner. I was not as intoxicated as alleged,” he said.
“I remember I got lost and became really anxious. I don’t know Techno Park at all and I felt trapped; I tried to open the door to get in, and I discharged two rounds.”
Henning added that he has fully co-operated with the authorities throughout the investigation and remains willing to provide further information if required. “I respect the legal process. Secondly, I provided my version with supporting evidence regarding the two charges against me, but I have to wait for the legal process, and was therefore subjected to hearsay.”
Mediclinic confirmed it was aware of these allegations and stated it was following internal processes, and pointed out that Henning is an independent practitioner.
Keystone Radiology has also operated a mobile mammography and sonar service in George for several years, offering screening to communities with limited access to specialist imaging. It has not yet issued a formal statement.
Keystone Radiology said it will not provide any comment on this matter at this stage. “The issues you refer to relate to ongoing legal processes involving an individual and, as a matter of principle and prudence, we do not engage publicly on such matters,” they said in response to a media enquiry.
They did, however, confirm that Keystone Radiology continues to operate as normal, with their focus firmly on providing safe, ethical and uninterrupted radiology services to our patients and referring doctors.
Comment from the HPCSA is still being awaited, as well.
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