JOHANNESBURG - Concerns are mounting over the possible abuse of medical certificates at the Madlanga Commission.
Several witnesses have submitted medical certificates on the eve of their scheduled appearances before the inquiry, a trend that has continued since the Commission began last year.
The South African Medical Association (SAMA) says while any abuse of medical certificates must be addressed, isolated incidents should not undermine the integrity of the medical profession.
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"We recognise that there might be isolated incidences where you find that there are abuses of these medical certificates, which is unfortunate," said SAMA's Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa.
"To us this is serious, and we don't take it lightly."
Mzukwa says SAMA supports accountability within the medical profession. However, he stresses that any scrutiny by the Commission must follow due legal process and uphold patient confidentiality.