The ongoing Madlanga commission of inquiry into alleged police capture has raised issues about questionable, last-minute sick notes submitted by witnesses, saying it would refer the matter to the medical council and was considering summoning doctors to explain.
Chair of the inquiry Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga it was becoming a recurring issue for subpoenaed witness to submit last-hour sick notes, and that such behaviour affected the commission’s work.
He said a doctor’s sick note submitted by North West businessman Brown Mogotsi on Monday was useless, as it stated only “medical condition” rather than a specific illness, reports the Sowetan.
Mogotsi has been accused by senior police officials of playing middleman between criminal cartels and suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
“We are entitled to furnish the medical certificate to the council that governs the medical profession for it to inform us professionally on whether what is written makes sense medically,” he told Mogotsi.
“We are not going to sit here and continue receiving useless medical certificates like the last one, and like yours appears to be.”
Madlanga then gave Mogotsi a chance to explain his reasons for failing to appear on Monday.
Mogotsi said he had not been feeling well since Friday and was still not well: “I apologise, I was not feeling well. I was dizzy also.”
Madlanga then asked Mogotsi to give the commission permission to submit his sick note to the medical council.
“I don’t have an issue … their interaction with the medical doctor will be confidential and submit (to the commission) then there is no problem,” Mogotsi responded.
The commission said it was considering the option of summoning doctors who had supplied questionable sick notes.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Why the courts are sceptical about sick notes
Regulations address sick notes issued by traditional healers