THE TRAUMA DIRECTORATE
CHRIS HANI BARAGWANATH
ACADEMIC HOSPITAL
Trauma Unit Faculty
Director of Trauma Unit
Dr Riaan Pretorius
MD, FCS (SA), Certificate Trauma Surgery
Dr Pretorius is currently the Director of the Trauma Unit of the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.
Born in Standerton in 1976. Qualified as a medical doctor at the University of Pretoria in 2000. Did his internship and community service in Polokwane in 2001 and 2002. Became a specialist in General Surgery at the University of Witwatersrand in 2009.
Completed Trauma Fellowship and is consultant in the Trauma Unit of the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and a Lecturer at the Department of Surgery of the University of the Witwatersrand from 2009.
Head of the Trauma Unit from 2020.
International instructor and coarse director for Definitive Skills Trauma Coarse.
Coarse Director For ATLS. Trauma surgeon at Level 1 Netcare Milpark Hospital Involved in prehospital medicine training and working on the road since 2001. Worked on the HEMS for 5 years. Also involved on a consultation basis for paramedics and doctors for NetCare 911.
Deputy Director of Trauma Unit
Dr Devorah Leah Wineberg
BSc, MBBCH, DiPPEc, FCS (SA), MMed (Surg), Cert Trauma
Dr Devorah Wineberg began her trauma career in the prehospital setting, training as a basic life support paramedic at the age of 17.
While continuing to volunteer on the road as a intermediate life support paramedic, Dr Wineberg completed her BSc physiology through Unisa and then went on to complete her MBBCH at Wits University and graduated Cum Laude.
Devorah went on to specialise in surgery, during which she also completed her Diploma in emergency medicine . She attained her Fellowship in the College of Surgeons in 2018 where she received the Miller award for academic achievement. She completed her Masters in Surgery during the same year and then worked as a surgical consultant at CHBAH for 2 years.
Devorah went back to her first love, trauma and completed her Certificate in Trauma and Critical care at Wits University . She now is a full time trauma surgeon at CHBAH where she enjoys teaching and operating and managing complex trauma patients. Devorah is passionate about research and teaching and holistic patient care.
Dr Winberg in the Co-ordinator of the International Doctors Programme at CHBAH and coordinates the multidisciplinary trauma team . She is an ATLS and DSTC instructor and has completed training in mass casualty and disaster management.
She remains a volunteer in the prehospital environment as well as international search and rescue.
Trauma Consultant
Dr Asad Mushtaq
MD, Higher Diploma in Surgery (SA)
Born in 1962 in Islamabad Pakistan. Graduated as a Medical Practitioner from Punjab University, Pakistan in 1990.
He moved to the Republic of South Africa in 1991 where he was employed as a medical officer in the Department of General Surgery at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.
He has attained a Higher Diploma in Surgery in 2004 and has been working at the Trauma Unit as an acting Consultant trauma surgeon since 2006.
He has developed a special interest in the management of penetrating trauma.
Fellows on Rotation
Dr Richard A. Crawford
MBBCh (WITS), DipPEC(SA), MMED(WITS), FCS(SA)
Is a Specialist General Surgeon and Trauma Surgery Fellow at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. He also serves as a Lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand. Born in Sandton, Gauteng, Dr. Crawford's surgical interests lie in Acute Care and Trauma Surgery as well as the critical care aspects of surgical patients. He is passionate about and believes in universal access to high-quality surgical care.
Dr. Crawford completed his undergraduate medical education at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBCh). He further specialized by obtaining a Diploma in Emergency Medicine (DipPEC) from the College of Medicine South Africa and a Masters in Surgery (MMED) from the University of the Witwatersrand and received the Miller Award for Research. In 2022, he achieved a Fellowship in Surgery (FCS) from the College of Medicine South Africa. He is an ATLS instructor and has completed the HIMMMS and DSCT courses.
His contributions to the field are recognized through his roles as National Hub Director and Statistical Hub Member for the NIHR Global Surgery Research Unit in South Africa. He has successfully completed the Executive Leadership in Global Surgery from the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business. He is an active member of the surgical community, being involved with the Association of Surgeons of South Africa and serves as a journal reviewer for the International Journal of Surgery, the South African Medical Journal, and the South African Journal of Surgery.
Dr. Crawford's philosophy centers on improving surgical care access and outcomes worldwide, particularly in underserved regions.
Trauma Consultant
Dr Naadiyah Laher
MBBCh, FCS (SA), MMed.
Naadiyah Laher is a dedicated trauma surgeon with a distinguished academic and professional journey.
She earned her BSc in 2008 and BSc Honours in 2009, followed by an MBBCh in 2012. She completed her FCS SA in 2021 and her MMed in Surgery in 2022, focusing on penetrating neck injuries. In 2024, she obtained her Certificate in Trauma Surgery, further solidifying her expertise.
A proud Witsie, Dr Laher has held notable leadership positions, including surgical registrar representative from 2018 to 2020 and Wits representative for SARA from 2019 to 2020. She is an Instructor in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), Definitive Surgical Trauma Care (DSTC), and High-Management Intensive Medical and Surgical Interventions (HMIMMIS).
Passionate about teaching, she contributes to both undergraduate and postgraduate education, presenting on national platforms such as SASSIT and ASSA.
Dr Laher has authored eight publications with many more to come and currently supervises five MMed surgical registrars. Outside of her professional life, she is an avid enthusiast of fast cars and travelling
Honorary Members
Dr Denzel P Mogabe
MD, FCS (SA), Certificate Trauma Surgery (SA) .
Fellowship in Trauma & Acute Critical Care Surgery, University of British Columbia , Canada.
Fellow of the American College Of Surgeons (FACS).
South African, born 1972. Graduated as a Medical Practitioner at the Medical University of SA 2000, Pretoria , completed Internship at Greys hospital in Pietermaritzburg , Kwa-Zulu-Natal 2001 and Community service in Polokwane 2002. Acquired ATLS in 2002 and joined the Specialized Trauma Air Response (STAR) HEMS in 2002 as a Flying Doctor .Worked as a Medical Officer at the Johannesburg Trauma unit in 2003 after which joined International SOS as
Emergency Flight doctor in 2004. Worked abroad in Republic of Ireland as a an Emergency Medicine Registrar over 3 years thereafter returned back to South Africa in 2006 to pursue a career in General Surgery. Joined the Specialist Registrar Program in General surgery at the University of KwaZulu Natal completing in 2012 and thereafter a Subspecialty in Trauma at Witwatersrand University in the Department of surgery based at Chris Hani Baragwanath and Johannesburg General hospital then . Holds 2 other fellowships with the University of British Columbia, Vancouver Canada and the American Colleges of Surgeons. Currently a Senior Honorary Consultant in the Trauma Unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, SOWETO, and the Netcare Alberton Level 1 Private Trauma Unit in Johannesburg.
He lives for “Batho Pele”, serving the people first”, excellence, dedication and humility.
Also a volunteer in Rural surgery Outreach programs in Lesotho on personal capacity.
WITS - Roy McAlpine Unit
Consultant
Dr Serhii Znamerovskyi
MD, Specialist General Surgeon, MBA, PhD
Born in Kyiv, Ukraine in 1972. Graduated as a Medical Doctor at the Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv in 2000.
He received undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in General Surgery in Ukraine.
After which he furthered his studies graduating with an MBA at the National Economic University, Kyiv in 2007 and in 2019 he obtained a PhD in Kharkiv Medical Academy, Ukraine.
In 2019 he joined Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital Surgery Department as an acting Consultant in Adult Burns Unit.
His interests include Acute Care Surgery, Critical Care in severe burns with severe injuries.
Director of the Burns unit
Professor Adelin Muganza
MD, FCS (SA), FRCSI, FCS ( ECS) ,FACS
Professor Adelin Muganza is a General Surgeon and the Director of the Burn unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa.
He is a fellow of Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland 2022. He became a specialist surgeon at University of the Witwatersrand in 2003 as fellow of College of Surgeons of South Africa and fellow of American College of Surgeons in 2016. Became a Fellow of the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Surgeons in 2023 (COSECSA).
He is an author of many publications related to thermal injury and general surgery. He is a prominent national and international speaker. His special interest lie in research of new technologies and skin substitutes for burn injuries and promote basic surgical skills in Africa.
Professor Muganza is the past President of South African Burns Society and the Secretary and treasury of American College of Surgeons, South African Chapter. He has also extensive experience in intensive care management of severe burns and surgical patient in general. Professor Muganza is one of leaders in Global Surgery focusing to improve surgical care in low-income countries.
He is a founder of Medpark Clinic which is a Global Surgery Initiative in the Democratic Republic of Congo for Surgeon training.
Deputy Director of the Burns unit
Dr Mokgadi Machaka
BSc, MBHB, FCP, Mmed, Fellowship in Micro-surgery (Germany).
Dr Mokgadi Machaka is a highly skilled , organised , hard working and dedicated plastic surgeon . She is passionate about improving patient’s confidence and quality of life . She is committed to continuous learning and staying updated with the latest advancement in plastic surgery techniques
Currently serving as deputy director in burns unit , she plays a critical role in both acute and long term management of burns injuries. She focuses on restoring function , mobility and aesthetic appearance.
She is recognised for her expertise in treating severe burn injuries , performing complex skin graft , and conducting reconstruction at restoring form and function for burn survivors .
Meet Our Faculty
At Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, we take immense pride in the exceptional faculty that leads our Trauma and Burns Units. Our dedicated team of specialists possess a wealth of experience and knowledge, allowing them to provide world-class care to patients facing complex challenges. Each member of our trauma directorate is committed to pushing the boundaries of medical excellence while prioritizing patient safety and recovery. We believe that through innovative treatment and compassionate care, we can make a significant impact on the lives we serve.