Wouter Basson, apartheid’s ‘Dr. Death’, revealed to be working at a Mediclinic
Mediclinic has responded to fierce criticism online, after one of the most notorious figures of the apartheid regime was found to be working in a Western Cape facility. Wouter Basson, ominously dubbed ‘Dr. Death’ by the media during the 1990s, was tasked with researching biological weapons and the effects of chemical warfare.
Who is Wouter Basson, or ‘Dr. Death’?
Basson faced dozens of legal charges but managed to escape prosecution at the turn of the century. He has been working as a cardiologist – reportedly one of the most senior and knowledgeable figures in his profession – for the last 15 years. These developments have taken many South Africans by surprise, forcing Mediclinic to offer the following defence:
“By law, doctors are independent practitioners and cannot be ’employed’ by Mediclinic Southern Africa. We cannot prohibit HPCSA registered doctors, including Dr. Basson, from practicing – unless they are prevented by law from doing so.”
Mediclinic Statement
Apartheid doctor’s Mediclinic gig sparks fury
Essentially absolving themselves of any responsibility, Mediclinic issued the same reply several times when pressed for answers on social media. The statement, and the situation itself, have both been lambasted to high heaven:
I don’t understand why @Mediclinic associate itself with Dr Death with tainted reputation surely it will cause reputation damage to the hospital and what nonsense statement did you issue. I myself will consider other private hospitals #MediClinicMustFall
— Gaddafi🇿🇦 (@DustSamuel) January 19, 2021
Only in SA would a yt person, still live his best life after having supplied and produced kidnapping drugs, suicide pills, AND creating illegal drugs and viruses that would only attack Black and Coloured communities.
Dr Death ruined our communities for generations to come..
— A Black Woman 🇿🇦 🇿🇦 (@SneKhumaloSA) January 19, 2021
Apartheid villain, Mediclinic cardiologist: Everything you need to know about Wouter Basson
- In 1982, Basson is alleged to have arranged the killing of 200 Namibian SWAPO prisoners in Operation Duel.
- In the 1980s, Basson and ‘Project Coast’ were accused of being involved with attacks against members of anti-apartheid movements.
- US & UK governments suspected that Basson ‘may have sold chemical weapons secrets’ during trips to Libya.
- The Truth and Reconciliation Commission determined that the army had probably used lethal toxins against ANC activists. Basson was linked to several of these attacks. When arrested, police found 100 ecstasy tablets in his possession.
- ‘Dr. Death’ was put on trial in 1999. He would face 67 charges in total. Following a 30-month trial, Wouter Basson was acquitted on all charges, largely thanks to a series of legal technicalities.
- Following a global speaking tour, the doctor returned to practice medicine in SA from 2005 onwards. He was previously charged with ‘unethical conduct’ by health authorities, but the ruling was quashed yet again, only two years ago.
