/ 19 March 2013

UAE medical committee absolves Karabus of blame

Uae Medical Committee Absolves Karabus Of Blame

Spokesperson Clayson Monyela said on Tuesday it was understood that a United Arab Emirates medical review committee had absolved Karabus from all blame.

He was convicted in absentia in the UAE on charges of manslaughter and falsifying documents after the death of a three-year-old cancer patient.

He was sentenced, in absentia, to three years in jail. Karabus (77) is an emeritus professor at the University of Cape Town and is a specialist paediatric oncologist.

Unaware of the charges and sentence, he was arrested and recharged in Dubai on August 18, while in transit on his return to South Africa from Toronto, in Canada, where he had attended his son's wedding.

Monyela confirmed the UAE court met on Tuesday and the medical review committee's report was presented to it.

"Therefore we envisage that the court is expected to deliver its final verdict on Thursday 21 March 2013."

Deputy International Relations and Cooperation Minister Marius Fransman spoke to Karabus and his legal team on Tuesday morning.

"The South African government is pleased that the medical committee has submitted its report to the court.

"We call upon all South Africans to pray for the finalisation of the case and the safe and speedy return of Prof Karabus to South Africa," he said.

As a democratic state, South Africa respected the sovereignty and the independence of the UAE's judicial system.

"We wish to thank the government of the UAE and in particular the minister of foreign affairs, the deputy minister of foreign affairs, and the minister of state for the manner in which we have engaged on this matter," Monyela said. – Sapa