Netcare's hospital in Durban allegedly conducted more than 100 operations in 2001-03 in which poor Brazilians and Romanians were paid to donate kidneys to wealthy Israelis. Netcare is accused of making large profits from the operations. As well as the five doctors, charges were also issued against two transplant unit staff, Netcare group, Netcare's chief executive officer, and the Durban hospital where the operations are alleged to have taken place. An Israeli interpreter was also charged. The charges against the various suspects include fraud, forgery, serious assault, and contravening South Africa's human tissues and prevention of organized crime acts. The alleged scam was initially uncovered in 2003. This charges follow a state investigation that enlisted the help of an Israeli "organ broker" who became a state witness and is expected to testify about his role in the alleged syndicate. The kidneys were initially sourced from Israeli citizens, but later Romanian and Brazilian citizens were recruited as their kidneys were obtainable at a much lower cost than those of the Israeli suppliers. More doctors are expected to be charged, with the suspects due to appear in court in Durban in November 2010.
Related:
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