Friends Describe “Amazing” Joburg Doctor, Killed by Fiancé in Her Home

Dr Yasmin Ibrahim was a brilliant anaesthesiologist. She was also a cancer survivor and philanthropist; a true friend and the youngest of a large family who were so proud of her achievements. Tributes from friends, family and colleagues have described the amazing qualities of Dr Ibrahim (45), a practising Specialist Anaesthesiologist in Johannesburg, whose life was tragically cut short in the early hours of Sunday 26 January 2020, another victim of gender-based violence in South Africa.

Dr Ibrahim was allegedly shot by her fiancé, Glen Bloom (48), at her flat in Melrose. Bloom, a businessman who owned a gym equipment repair company according to reports, then shot and killed himself.

Those who are left mourning the loss of Dr Ibrahim remember her as a strong-willed yet gentle soul. She survived Hodgkins Lymphoma as a student, took care of her nephews and nieces after her sister passed away, was shy yet worked as a team player, and quietly supported philanthropic initiatives… simply to make the world a better place.

“Yasmin, more commonly known to friends and colleagues as Yaz, was a caring, kind and fun-loving human being, who originated from humble beginnings,” says her close friend and colleague at Dunkeld Anaesthetic Practice, Nitesh Hargoven.

Hargoven told SAPeople that Dr Ibrahim, who joined Dunkeld AP as an associate in 2010, was “a gentle soul, loved and liked by all those who were privileged to work and interact with her.”

Dr Ibrahim also worked for the past 12 years at Netcare Linksfield Hospital where she was the anaesthetist for longtime friend Dr Gabriel Doucas, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, on his Tuesday surgical list.

Dr Doucas and Dr Ibrahim became friends when they were both Wits students, specialising in their respective fields.

“During her final year of specialisation (2008), Yasmin was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, and it was during this time that my respect and admiration for her grew immensely,” Dr Doucas told SAPeople. “While enduring chemotherapy, she soldiered on, studying and working throughout it all. She was still undergoing treatment when we flew down to Cape Town for our final orals – which she passed well first time!”

Soon after qualifying they began working together, right up until last Tuesday… before she died.

“Her slight stature was met with a massive heart,” Dr Doucas says. “Everyone who worked with her admired and respected her. She was kind, generous and always on time! Her passing has left a gaping hole among her colleagues and peers. Even past patients have been calling in to express their condolences and regret at her tragic passing.”

He says Dr Ibrahim’s death was discovered on Sunday by concerned family members, who got worried when she didn’t arrive at a family event at which she was expected.

Her body was found lying on the kitchen floor, next to that of Bloom’s. According to a Norwood police spokesperson, neighbours had heard gun shot sounds. A security guard is also reported to have heard the couple arguing.

As Dr Ibrahim’s death yet again raises the burning question in South Africa of how to put a stop to gender-based violence, Dr Angelique Coetzee – SA Medical Association Chairperson – said it’s “extremely distressing” and “again highlights the high level of gender-based violence in our society…”

Dr Doucas says: “I know I’m not alone in asking myself what more I should have or could have done to help avoid this tragedy.

“As much as we spent endless hours together in theatre, talking about life, work and our relationships, I believe many people choose to keep their sensitive and personal issues to themselves.”

Dr Ibrahim was one of seven children, according to Hargoven. “She had strong ties to her parents and was very close to her sisters. Following the passing of her sister to lower motor neuron disease, Yasmin took it upon herself to care for and raise her nieces and nephews.

“She loved them dearly, and their happiness was her priority. Despite the numerous hardships endured by Yasmin, she lived with and cared for her ageing parents at their home in Kensington.

“Following her dad’s passing (five years ago), she continued to selflessly take care of her frail mum, despite her demanding work schedules.

“Keeping physically fit and eating healthily were equally important to Yaz. Despite all her commitments, she always made time available for gym workouts.”

Today, Dr Ibrahim’s niece, Sumaiya Hassen, said in a message to SAPeople: “Yasmin was a strong-willed woman who conquered many obstacles throughout her life. She qualified in BSC nursing and acquired the Dux award because of her outstanding achievements in her results.

“She went on to begin her degree in medicine. In second year, she persisted while going through a divorce. She completed medicine and later furthered her studies by specialising in anaesthetics. She wrote her exam while undergoing chemotherapy. She was a cancer survivor and a fighter.

“Now, she was currently furthering her Islamic knowledge by attending a weekly religious class.

“More importantly, my aunt was an amazing human being who dedicated her life to seeking knowledge and helping others. It is a great loss to us as a family and to the community at large as she was taken away at the age of 45. Yasmin will be deeply missed by all of us but her memory will never fade.”

Despite the challenges she faced during her life, Dr Ibrahim seemed to always rise up and live her life not just fully, but joyfully. “Yaz realised the importance of her psychological well-being in this highly demanding and stressful occupation, and would take regular leave,” says Hargoven. “She loved to travel both locally and internationally and had a penchant for shoe shopping.” (She also loved cars!)

All those who worked with her described Dr Ibrahim as hardworking, dedicated and highly-skilled (“especially in the field of vascular surgery”). Her relationships with colleagues went “beyond the walls of the operating room as she developed strong bonds and friendships with them and their families,” says Hargoven.

She was known for always keeping her “beautiful, friendly smile” despite the long hours on many of her lists.

“We are all left with a void in our lives. Yasmin is sorely missed by everyone that knew her,” says Hargoven.

Her family have been left devastated to have lost such a beautiful person.

Dr Doucas told SAPeople: “They are spending time together in support of each other. Thanks to their faith, they are empowered.”

He adds: “It was only after speaking to her family this week, that I learnt about how much she supported various charities. She helped build boreholes in various African communities that had never experienced clean, running water before. She never spoke about that, or all the other philanthropic initiatives she quietly supported.”

Dr Yasmin Ibrahim was helping make South Africa a better place. Now she is gone. Please let’s start speaking up. For ourselves and for others. Men and women. We cannot afford to lose another precious South African like Dr Ibrahim.