South African health authorities discipline licensed psychologists

December 23, 2011

The September 11, 2011 disciplinary action report fo the Health Professions Council of South Africa included the following actions taken against psychologists:

In May 2011, the South African Professional Board of Psychology (“Board”) issued a caution to Dr. K. Moodley of Johannesburg, for unprofessional conduct consisting of: issuing a psychological evaluation which included statements and/or expressed opinions about clients without having consulted with and/or examined them and also rendered both therapeutic and forensic services to a client, in violation of rules governing the conduct of psychologists.

In June 2011, the Board issued a caution and reprimand to Mr. P. Brits, an industrial psychologist in Pretoria. According to the Board’s report, Brits engaged in unprofessional conduct when he treated a patient in a psychiatric hospitals, acting outside the scope of practice and for charging for emergency fees (which Brits was not entitled to).

In June 2011, the Board fined psychologist R. Singh 5,000 Rand (equivalent to US $617), having admitted guilt on charges of unprofessional conduct. The Board’s document states that during a marriage therapy session with his patient and her husband, Singh made rude, demeaning and/or insulting remarks to the patient and disrespected the dignity and human worth of his patient.

Source: Finalised matters: January - September 2011, disciplinary action report of the Health Professions Council of South Africa.