A prominent plastic surgeon has revealed details of a cloak-and-dagger sting operation, involving secret meetings, hidden cameras and marked bank notes, that led to the arrest of a highly-placed officer in the health professions council.
The actions of Dr Luke Gordon, who specialised at the former University of Natal medical school and now practises on the East Rand, have led to a legal adviser attached to the health professions watchdog body, the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), landing up on the wrong side of the law for allegedly trying to extort money from the plastic surgeon when he was facing disciplinary charges.
Gordon had earlier been found guilty of unprofessional conduct. His one-year suspension was suspended for three years on condition that he worked only under supervision in a state hospital or clinic for six months.
The drama started when Gordon appeared before a disciplinary committee relating to a 2006 case in which he faced charges of failing to exert reasonable standards of care, anticipate possible complications and to arrange adequate appropriate cover (a locum). Gordon said he was offered a plea bargain in exchange for pleading guilty. However, after pleading, he alleged that further charges were brought against him and he received a harsher sentence than expected. While in the process of starting an appeal, one of the HPCSA's prosecutors contacted him.
"At first he told the receptionist that he was a potential patient and asked her for my personal number," said Gordon.
Gordon returned his call and said the prosecutor was very friendly and allegedly proposed that they meet "off the record".
"This is the same guy who, a month before, wanted to have me struck off the roll," said Gordon. He said his attorney at the time and friends in the legal profession said he should not go ahead with the meeting.
However, curiosity and a change of heart by his attorney made him change his mind, and he agreed to meet the man near OR Tambo Airport. Gordon said he went to the meeting with his wife.
"The man did not directly ask for money, but wrote it down on a piece of paper he later destroyed.
"He indicated that I would be able to resume my practice if I paid him two amounts of R60 000. I asked him if he wanted cash or an electronic transfer. He insisted on cash, as he did not want to leave a paper trail," said Gordon.
Armed with that information, Gordon went to the police. The prosecutor and Gordon then agreed to meet at a coffee shop in Pretoria on April 9. Gordon was wired and the area was under police surveillance. Gordon handed the prosecutor the R60 000 in marked notes, after which the man was arrested and charged in the commercial crimes court.
He has been suspended from the council pending further investigation.
The HPCSA has confirmed that a legal audit was being carried out and the council was investigating all the cases being handled by its legal department, starting with those handled by the prosecutor.
Gordon said while he was waiting for a response from the council about his appeal he could not work.
"There are no positions available at state hospitals and, unless they (the council) reconsider the verdict, I am just sitting idle," said Gordon. He also had to put his Metamorphosis Clinic in Benoni on hold as he is not allowed to practise.
HPCSA registrar Boyce Mkhize could not be reached for comment, but was reported earlier as saying he could not comment on the merits of the case, or whether it was possible that the prosecutor had been capable of influencing the outcome of Gordon's hearing, saying it was sub judice.
The Sunday Tribune could not trace the prosecutor for comment. He will appear in court on July 29.