Cape Town - Wouter Basson says he has never had a complaint from any of the Stellenbosch University medical students he taught and does not understand the controversy surrounding his involvement with them.
University students have refused to be taught by the man known as “Dr Death” for the role he played as head of a top-secret chemical and biological warfare project during the apartheid era.
This comes after it emerged this week that Basson, now a practising cardiologist, is teaching select groups of fourth-year medical students who are on clinical rotation at Durbanville’s Mediclinic.
In 2013, the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) found Basson guilty on four charges of unprofessional conduct.
The university has, however, distanced itself from the employment of Basson and said he was never appointed or employed by the faculty of medicine and health sciences (FMHS) in any capacity.
On Tuesday, Basson said: “I have no idea what all the fuss is about. I teach many groups of people and have received no complaints – related to either the giving thereof or the quality thereof – at all over the years from any of my students.
“My lectures are a given – the attendees do so of their own volition.”
But Tygerberg Student Council chairperson, Nick Wayne said the council stood by their call that no student should be taught by Basson.
Wayne, however, reiterated that students taught by Basson were not forced to take his class. “There were students who did not want to be taught by him. Students are uncomfortable… and feel he should not be practising, let alone teaching.”
Wayne said when teaching, a lecturer instilled certain qualities of themselves in their students, which was a concern for many, along with Basson’s lack of remorse and his involvement in apartheid warfare, which made students uncomfortable.
“The students also felt excluded, not getting the same teaching as others because they did not feel comfortable being taught by Basson. They would rather have other tutors,” he said.
University spokesperson Martin Viljoen said that after Basson was found guilty by the HPCSA, the FMHS withdrew his accreditation (in 2014). Since it was withdrawn, Basson has not been involved in the training or supervision of students in any official capacity, Viljoen said.
“If FMHS students did attend any tutorials given by Dr Basson at the hospital subsequent to the withdrawal of his accreditation, this was done of their own accord.”
@lisa_isaacs
Cape Times
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