INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS

The former head of the apartheid gorvenment's chemical and biological warfare programme, Dr Wouter Basson. Photo: Thobile Mathonsi

Wouter Basson has promised to tell all at a fundraising dinner for disabled children in the Winelands. All proceeds of the event will go to Amado, a non-profit animal-assisted horse riding centre for physically disabled and traumatised children in Paarl.

M’Lani Basson, founder of Amado, said she had asked Basson to speak because he was “so controversial”. “He is an excellent speaker. He doesn’t usually accept many speaking engagements but I’ve got a personal connection with him.”

Basson said the two weren’t related, but friends.

Wouter Basson is facing a Health Professions Council of SA professional conduct inquiry into his involvement in Project Coast, the biological and chemical weapons programme that he ran for the apartheid government. The case is to resume next month.

Basson said Wouter Basson would be talking about “everything” for about 40 minutes.

“From the army, to the case. The number one reason to come to the event is to hear what he has to say.” She said she had received a number of calls from people interested in attending.

“We’ve had a lot of interest. But when it comes to buying tickets, not a lot of people have booked.”

Basson said this could be attributed to the tough economic climate or to people already having made plans. “If this event doesn’t succeed for us, then nothing will. I chose him because we really need funds for our charity. We don’t have any paying children. We needed it to be something different.” She said she hoped about 100 people would attend.

In an e-mail sent to the Cape Times, the event is publicised as an opportunity to hear what Wouter Basson had to say.

It described Basson as “the well-spoken surgeon who saves lives, while having been dubbed Dr Death for his role as former head of the South African defence force chemical and biological warfare project”. It said dinner and wine would be served before an auction with items, including diamonds, a watch and accommodation, to go under the hammer.

However, hearing about Wouter Basson’s past will come at a price – tickets for the evening cost R500. - Cape Times

michelle.jones@inl.co.za