Doctors fingered in rape case flee SA
2011-01-05 23:56
Johannesburg - Two doctors had their salaries frozen on Wednesday after they were linked to a rape case in Port Elizabeth, the Eastern Cape health department said.
Spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the two doctors, both Pakistanis, had their salaries amounting to almost R100 000 a month each frozen after a rape charge was laid against one of them.
The second doctor was implicated in the case after he and the first doctor allegedly offered the rape victim R5 000 to drop the charges.
Kupelo said the alleged rapist went to Pakistan in September just after the charges against him were laid.
He left before action could be taken against him and has since sent his employers a medical letter which states he is too ill to travel back to South Africa.
The other doctor implicated in the case was suspended shortly after his involvement was brought to light, but he has since gone abroad.
Police believe he is also in Pakistan, Kupelo said.
Kupelo said the reason the doctors' salaries were only now being frozen was due to internal investigations that had to be conducted.
"If any employee is accused of misconduct there has to be an investigation to determine if they have done what they are accused of."
The department was now working with Interpol to pursue the process against the two doctors.
- SAPA
