Question NW1912 to the Deputy President

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10 September 2021 - NW1912

Profile picture: Malatsi, Mr MS

Malatsi, Mr MS to ask the Deputy President

(1)Whether the Surgeon-General of the SA National Defence Force referred him for any form of medical treatment to the Russian Federation since 27 February 2018; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on which date(s) did the Surgeon-General refer him for medical treatment in the Russian Federation, (b) why was the Surgeon-General and the SA Military Health Service not able to provide the medical treatment that he required in each case and (c) what costs were incurred by the Government in each case for referring him to the Russian Federation; (2) whether, in light of his numerous postponements and cancellations of question sessions in the National Assembly, the Surgeon-General has found that in his current state of health he is fit to hold his current Office and perform the various duties as required by his Office; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Deputy President like any other South African is entitled to choose his or her preferred medical practitioner. In recent past in Parliament, the Deputy President took South Africans into confidence about him taking ill and how he ended-up receiving lifesaving treatment from doctors in the Russian Federation.

It would thus be medically imprudent for anyone to abruptly abandon medical treatment by medical practitioners who are intimately au fait with one’s medical profile. Further details regarding the Deputy President’s consultations with the Surgeon-General can be obtained from the Office of the Surgeon-General, and the SA Military Health Service.

In instances where the Deputy President has had to postpone sessions for oral reply, such was communicated to the Presiding Officers of Parliament in accordance with Rule 144 (1) read together with Rule 11 (2). The Deputy President is fully competent to execute his responsibilities as delegated by the President.

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