A suspension letter has been issued to the chairperson of the Medical and Dental Professions Board (MDPB), Professor Solomon Rataemane, after unknown but apparently serious allegations have been levelled against him.
City Press reports that Rataemane has been blocked from accessing the council system since 12 October, with the nature of the allegations not revealed.
Christopher Tsatsawane, corporate head of the council, confirmed Rataemane’s “temporary suspension in line with the Charter for Council and Professional Board Members pending the finalisation of the matter”. He said due process was followed.
Tsatsawane says the allegations cannot be revealed because the matter is under investigation. Rataemane did not respond to calls and questions sent.
The suspension was executed on 22 September by HPCSA president Mbulaheni Nemutandani. On the same day, Deputy Health Minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo wrote to Nemutandani asking him to provide reasons for the suspension as Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla, was out of the country.
The letter asked him to “explain the reasons for your intention to suspend and wait for the Minister’s response before you send Rataemane the letter”.
Meanwhile, Dr Cedric Sihlangu, national task team co-ordinator of the SA Medical Association Trade Union (Samatu), to which Rataemane belongs, said the union was aware of the suspension.
Sihlangu added that if there were serious allegations that jeopardised the position of the HPCSA “then, we believe that proper legal processes should follow”.
“But, if this is done because of political issues then we would be very concerned because the council should not be preoccupied with internal politics that would compromise what the council is trying to achieve, which is to regulate all healthcare professions.”
SA Medical Association (SAMA) spokesperson Nomonde Sussman said: “Prof Solomon Rataemane’s suspension sits in the ambit of the MDPB. It is the board’s prerogative to take further steps on this matter. SAMA hopes that the necessary processes will be followed.”
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
HPCSA elects new president and vice-president
HPCSA’s new president ponders the poisoned chalice