Lawyer: Chairman signed petition for removal of Basson

"We have received information that you [Prof Jannie Hugo] are a member of one of the organisations that agitated for the removal of Dr Basson as a medical practitioner, and signed a petition to that effect," said Basson's lawyer, Jaap Cilliers, before the Health Professions Council of SA hearing.

Hugo said he had been a member of the medical association since he started practising medicine.

"I will have to go through the list of those organisations," he said.

Cilliers demanded that the matter stand down to allow the defence to consider making an application to the hearing regarding Hugo being an alleged signatory to a petition before sentencing by the HPCSA could be handed to Basson.

Presiding Judge Frikkie Eloff told Cilliers the matter would proceed and that he should make an application to that effect.

Salie Joubert, for the HPCSA, said the defence was playing delaying tactics.

"There is no evidence that the chairman actively participated and called for the removal of Basson as a medical practitioner. 

I propose that the hearing proceeds. If the defence want to continue with this issue, they can bring an application," said Joubert.

The hearing was adjourned for a few minutes for the defence to decide on the way forward.