By: Naledi Shange And Kyle Cowan
The executors of Nelson Mandela’s estate and his grandson Mandla have distanced themselves from a tell-all book written by the former president’s doctor.
Advocate George Bizos‚ one of three executors of Mandela’s estate‚ said they “had nothing to do with it”.
Mandela’s former doctor Vejay Ramlakan claims he received permission to publish the books from the Mandela family but has refused to say who in the family provided the go-ahead.
“Mrs Machel is concerned and we are concerned‚” said Bizos.
“While the writer says he had permission from one family member‚ I don’t think any single member has the authority to do that‚” said Bizos.
He said the executors planned on taking action.
According to the Health Professions Council of South Africa‚ the only time a doctor can breach his doctor-patient confidentiality oath in relation to a deceased patient is if he has the written consent of the next of kin or the executor of the deceased’s estate.
In a statement released on Sunday‚ Mandla Mandela said the family was “aggrieved” by Ramlakan’s book.
He said the family gave its “unequivocal support” to Machel.
Mandla Mandela said the privilege Ramlakan had “appears to have been vilely abused”.
“We are deeply disappointed that the doctor appears to have compromised himself and the man whom he had the privilege to serve‚” Mandla Mandela said in a statement.
The SA Medical Association also expressed its concern.
“I haven’t read the book but most of us have a sense of unease . Breaching the has implications‚” said Dr Mark Sonderup‚ vice chairperson of the association.
“If it is found that violates principles ‚ the matter should be reviewed by relevant authorities and action be taken‚” he said.
Ramlakan’s book‚ published by Penguin Random House‚ hits shelves on Monday.
In a television interview on Sunday‚ Ramlakan again said he had been requested by the family to write the book.
“I would not like to disclose the dynamics of the family and who requested us because I think it’s irrelevant‚” he said.
“We assert that we have received permission from the family‚” he continued.
The publisher said Ramlakan had assured them he had received permission from the Mandela family and even handed a draft of the book to a family representative.
The Department of Defence‚ who employed Ramlakan‚ has distanced itself from the controversial book while the Nelson Mandela Foundation refused to comment on the matter.
“The SANDF’s policy on patient-doctor confidentiality is in force and as such the views and patient-doctor engagements expressed in the book have not been sanctioned by the senior cadre of the department and the SANDF respectively‚” SA National Defence Force spokesman Siphiwe Dlamini said.
-TimesLIVE
Source: TMG Digital.
Mandela executors say they had nothing to do with tell-all book
The executors of Nelson Mandela’s estate and his grandson Mandla have distanced themselves from a tell-all book written by the former president’s doctor.
Advocate George Bizos‚ one of three executors of Mandela’s estate‚ said they “had nothing to do with it”.
Mandela’s former doctor Vejay Ramlakan claims he received permission to publish the books from the Mandela family but has refused to say who in the family provided the go-ahead.
“Mrs Machel is concerned and we are concerned‚” said Bizos.
“While the writer says he had permission from one family member‚ I don’t think any single member has the authority to do that‚” said Bizos.
He said the executors planned on taking action.
According to the Health Professions Council of South Africa‚ the only time a doctor can breach his doctor-patient confidentiality oath in relation to a deceased patient is if he has the written consent of the next of kin or the executor of the deceased’s estate.
In a statement released on Sunday‚ Mandla Mandela said the family was “aggrieved” by Ramlakan’s book.
He said the family gave its “unequivocal support” to Machel.
Mandla Mandela said the privilege Ramlakan had “appears to have been vilely abused”.
“We are deeply disappointed that the doctor appears to have compromised himself and the man whom he had the privilege to serve‚” Mandla Mandela said in a statement.
The SA Medical Association also expressed its concern.
“I haven’t read the book but most of us have a sense of unease . Breaching the has implications‚” said Dr Mark Sonderup‚ vice chairperson of the association.
“If it is found that violates principles ‚ the matter should be reviewed by relevant authorities and action be taken‚” he said.
Ramlakan’s book‚ published by Penguin Random House‚ hits shelves on Monday.
In a television interview on Sunday‚ Ramlakan again said he had been requested by the family to write the book.
“I would not like to disclose the dynamics of the family and who requested us because I think it’s irrelevant‚” he said.
“We assert that we have received permission from the family‚” he continued.
The publisher said Ramlakan had assured them he had received permission from the Mandela family and even handed a draft of the book to a family representative.
The Department of Defence‚ who employed Ramlakan‚ has distanced itself from the controversial book while the Nelson Mandela Foundation refused to comment on the matter.
“The SANDF’s policy on patient-doctor confidentiality is in force and as such the views and patient-doctor engagements expressed in the book have not been sanctioned by the senior cadre of the department and the SANDF respectively‚” SA National Defence Force spokesman Siphiwe Dlamini said.
-TimesLIVE
Source: TMG Digital.
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