HPCSA drops two charges against Basson

The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) prosecution announced that it will not proceed with two of the charges against Wouter Basson, as well as with a portion of a third charge. Basson was to face six charges of unprofessional conduct, linked to the period he lead "Project Coast" - South Africa's chemical and biological warfare programme.

Originally, Basson pleaded not guilty to the charges, arguing that he was only doing his job as part of the then South African Defence Force. Basson maintains that, at the time, he was creating a defensive capability against a chemical onslaught by other countries. Basson was acquitted nine years ago on the 46 charges which he faced.

According to Pro forma prosecutor Salie Joubert, SC, the prosecution will only proceed with a portion of the second charge, which relates to the manufacturing of substances, including Mandrax, ecstacy, an incapacitating agent called BZ and teargas, as well as with helping to "weaponise" thousands of mortars with teargas and with providing disorientation substances, used to drug a person being kidnapped, for over-border kidnapping exercises. Basson is also charged with making cyanide capsules available to operational officers to use if they chose to commit suicide if they were captured.

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