KZN prof in ugly race row

2013-01-21 08:34

(File) (Shutterstock)

Durban - A nasty race row has erupted after six of Durban’s top medical doctors accused a University of KwaZulu-Natal professor of making derogatory remarks.

Professor Anunanthan Reddi, who is also the head of the cardiothoracic department at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, responded by suing the doctors for R2m, reported the Sunday Tribune.

He claimed it was all part of a conspiracy against him.

The six doctors -  Gerard Roderick Alexander, Surendra Naidoo, Noel Julian Buckles, Direndra Rajaruthnam, Kaven Naicker and Ebrahim Mansoor - submitted a list of comments allegedly made by Reddi, which included referring to a black doctor as a kaffir and saying Indians had a “coolie mentality”.

Reddi also allegedly insulted the Islamic faith and said black people had a low cognitive ability and lacked sophistication.

He also allegedly made sexually inappropriate remarks and told one doctor that he smelled and asked how his wife tolerated him.

In court papers Reddi denied verbally abusing colleagues and according to his lawyer, believed the allegations were part of a plot to oust him at work.

- News24