JOHANNESBURG - Paediatric surgeon Professor Peter Beale has been acquitted.
He was accused of murder, culpable homicide and fraud over the deaths of three of his child patients.
But, Judge Thifhelimbilu Mudau found the state had not made a case against him.
Beale has always maintained his innocence.
Beal welcomed the verdict, saying while healthcare professionals need to be held accountable, criminalising errors in challenging complex environments, helps no one.
The families say they will need time to decide if they will be appealing.
Mark Human from the South African Medical Association said a case of this magnitude was needed to settle the ongoing onslaught that constitutes the criminalisation of medical errors.