Surgeon’s axing over racism ‘unfair’

Durban - The disciplinary process that led to the axing of the Durban cardiothoracic surgeon accused of racism was unfair, his lawyer said on Wednesday.

Professor Anunanthan Reddi was dismissed by the University of KwaZulu-Natal and replaced as the head of its cardiothoracic surgery unit, which is based at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital.

UKZN confirmed its decision this week, but was tight-lipped about the details.

Reddi’s lawyer, Jay Reddy, told The Mercury that his client had not been given the opportunity to forward his version of events.

He had also been prejudiced because he had not had the chance to present witnesses who would have corroborated his claim that the allegations were false.

Reddi said the manner in which the disciplinary process had been conducted was “unconstitutional”, as it was terminated “midway”.

However, UKZN’s executive director of human resources, Mojaki Mosia, strongly denied this, saying the decision to dismiss Reddi was reached after a protracted, year-long disciplinary inquiry. Mosia repeated that because an appeal had been lodged, the matter was sub judice and he could not comment further.

Last year, six fellow doctors submitted a formal complaint to UKZN, accusing Reddi of a slew of wrongdoings.

These included using the “k-word” when speaking of a black colleague, referring to Muslims as “slum ous”, and making derogatory comments about Indians.

Reddi hit back by suing them for R2 million in damages and has maintained that these are “spurious, vexatious and false” allegations.

“He believes he will be vindicated,” Reddy said.

A court date was to be set.

The Mercury

• Surgeon sacked in racism dispute