‘Dr Death’ in legal fight for professional survival

HE BEARS the nickname of Dr Death, but this hasn’t deterred about 13 000 patients from putting themselves in the hands of South Africa’s most notorious cardiologist.

Details of apartheid- era chemical warfare expert Wouter Basson’s professional popularity and work load are contained in court papers filed this week.

Basson, 64, dubbed Dr Death, ran the former South African Defence Force’s chemical and biological warfare programme about three decades ago.

He is now a practising cardiologist in Durbanville.

But Basson runs the risk of being suspended or being removed from the medical practitioners’ roll because about a year ago, following a six-year probe, the Health Professions Council of South Africa’s (HPCSA) found him guilty of unethical conduct.

The council found that in the 1980s he had been involved in large- scale production of mandrax, ecstasy and tear gas, and had made cyanide capsules available to special unit members to use to commit suicide.

An affidavit by Basson, contained in court papers dated Monday, detailed how the outcome of the probe could affect his work situation.

It said: “I currently have approximately 13 000 patients, which include patients that are currently hospitalised, and I also have a theatre list for operations to be done which has been booked and arranged four to six months in advance.”

Basson said if he were suddenly removed from the medical roll, or suspended, his practice would collapse.

“It will mean that my practice, where there are 12 people employed, will practically close down with immediate effect, and will have devastating effects not only for me but also my patients,” he said.

Basson’s legal team lodged the urgent application this week because they want HPCSA chairman Johannes Hugo and committee member Edgar Mhlanga to provide information about their membership of any organisations that signed a petition in support of removing Basson from the medical practitioners’ roll.

This relates to whether the two are biased against him.

Basson’s legal team also wanted an order made to prevent Hugo and Mhlanga continuing with disciplinary proceedings against Basson.

In an explanatory affidavit, Hugo said he had not been involved in compiling any petitions, nor had he signed any.

Mhlanga, in his own affidavit, said he confirmed aspects contained in Hugo’s affidavit that related to him.