Pretoria aesthetic doctor and general practitioner Dr Pertunia Mathibe, widely known as Dr Pert, died last week. Although the cause of death was not revealed, sources said she had been unwell and in hospital days beforehand.
News24 reports she had founded the Dr Pert Centre for Body Sculpting, specialising in body contouring treatments including liposuction and the Brazilian butt lift (BBL), but also offered hormone therapy, laser hair removal and anti-ageing solutions.
She gained popularity for working with celebrity clients, including reality TV stars Lethabo “LeJoy” Mathatho and Nonkanyiso “LaConco” Conco.
However, she had also faced significant controversy during her career, with several former clients accusing her of botched procedures and alleged scams.
MedicalBrief reported early last year that the Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons of Southern Africa (Aprassa) had chastised her for performing cosmetic surgeries while only registered as a general practitioner.
Aprassa president Craig Wittstock had warned: “Injecting fat into the buttocks, which is how a BBL is done, can be a dangerous and even fatal procedure. It is widely regarded as the procedure with the highest mortality rate among cosmetic surgeries.”
In response to the criticism, the GP had acknowledged that she was not a plastic surgeon but insisted she was qualified to perform BBLs and liposuction. She said she had completed relevant training through the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine Southern Africa.
The Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) confirmed that non-surgical cosmetic procedures may be carried out by any practitioners registered with the council, “who have (received) formal, structured training”. These practitioners need “assessment and ongoing professional development in certain aspects of cosmetic surgery relevant to those particular specialities”.
News24 article – Celebrity aesthetic doctor Pert Mathibe dies (Restricted access)
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