Wouter Basson turns to court to halt HPCSA disciplinary proceedings

Dr Wouter Basson, infamously known as "Dr Death" for his role as the head of a top-secret chemical and biological warfare programme during apartheid, has turned to court to try and stop disciplinary action being taken against him by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

This came to light following a parliamentary question by the EFF who have since called for Basson’s suspension. 

In 2013, Basson was found guilty of unprofessional conduct relating to his involvement in the chemical and biological warfare programme. His sentencing proceedings commenced in January 2015. However they were at the time halted by an application for the recusal of the committee members. 

EFF MP Carl Niehaus recently questioned Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi about why the HPCSA had not prioritised reinstating disciplinary proceedings against Basson, despite being convicted of serious professional misconduct in 2013 and facing a recommendation to have his medical licence revoked.

Niehaus pointed out that Basson continues to practise as a cardiologist at Mediclinic Durbanville and Mediclinic Panorama in Cape Town, and asked why the HPCSA has allowed him to do so for the past six years without further action.

In response, Motsloaledi confirmed that the HPCSA was proceeding with the disciplinary inquiry against Basson, following a decision by the Medical and Dental Professions Board (MDB) to pursue the disciplinary matter based on principles of ethics. 

“A new committee was constituted by the MDB (on March 13, 2023) to hear the matter following the recusal of the two members of the original committee. The matter was set down to be heard before the new committee on September 19 and 20, 2024. The matter was subsequently adjourned to December 5, 2024.

“The matter could not proceed on this date as the Respondent’s attorneys were awaiting appointment by the State Attorney. The matter thereafter proceeded on February 7, 2025, on which date, preliminary discussions were held between the parties. The Respondent’s attorneys also informed attorneys acting for the HPCSA that they had intended to launch a High Court application for the permanent stay of proceedings. The Respondent was to have pleaded to the charges at the next date of the hearing on 11 April 2025,” the minister said. 

He added that Basson launched the high court application on April 9, 2025 and the HPCSA had since filed a notice to oppose the relief sought.

The EFF welcomed the council’s decision. 

“The EFF remains resolute that justice must prevail, and those responsible for heinous acts, particularly those committed under the guise of medical practice, must face the full consequences of their actions. His actions, which included the development and use of chemical agents to harm and kill anti-apartheid activists, constitute a gross violation of medical ethics and human rights. These acts were not only a betrayal of the Hippocratic Oath but also a crime against humanity.

"The fact that Dr. Basson has continued to practice as a cardiologist in Cape Town, with no significant repercussions for his past, is an affront to justice and an insult to the victims of his atrocities. The EFF insists that Dr. Basson must be immediately suspended from practicing medicine pending the outcome of the HPCSA's disciplinary proceedings. Allowing him to continue treating patients while these serious allegations remain unresolved undermines public trust in the medical profession and the regulatory bodies tasked with upholding its integrity,” the party said. 

The HPCSA and Basson did not respond to further requests for comment by deadline. 

Cape Times