THE South African Civil Aviation Authority (SAC) has invalidated medical certificates from Dr Nhlanhla Sishaba, a former Designated Aviation Medical Examiner as part of an investigation into the doctor's alleged fraudulent conduct, reports Montreal's Simply Flying.
SAC has urged all licence holders who received medical certificates from Dr Sishaba from this date to be re-examined and certified to a current and valid DAME within the next 15 working days from September 10. The situation affects crews working for various airlines, including the national carrier South African Airways.
SAC is finalizing an investigation into alleged improper and fraudulent conduct by Dr Sishaba. In 2023, she was penalized for non-compliance, with her designation as DAME expiring on March 31, 2024. Her designation was not renewed pending the ongoing investigation.
However, she continued to examine and issue medical certificates beyond the period of her designation, which was flagged by the SAC online system. Her actions demonstrated a gross violation of civil aviation regulations, forcing the SAC to invalidate all certificates issued under her name after March 31.
Further investigations revealed that non-medical and unauthorised personnel were used to conduct medical assessments and to file fraudulent and incomplete medical reports in its system.
SAC has notified known operators who used the Doctor's services and issued a general notice to the broader aviation sector.
Said Civil Aviation Director Poppy Khoza: 'South Africa's aviation sector boasts an exemplary safety record, with no fatal accidents in the scheduled airline sector in nearly 40 years. While our investigations are continuing, we cannot ignore these findings. Ensuring the safety of aviation services is our top priority, and We will pursue all available legal measures to resolve this issue swiftly.'
SeaNews Turkey
SAC has urged all licence holders who received medical certificates from Dr Sishaba from this date to be re-examined and certified to a current and valid DAME within the next 15 working days from September 10. The situation affects crews working for various airlines, including the national carrier South African Airways.
SAC is finalizing an investigation into alleged improper and fraudulent conduct by Dr Sishaba. In 2023, she was penalized for non-compliance, with her designation as DAME expiring on March 31, 2024. Her designation was not renewed pending the ongoing investigation.
However, she continued to examine and issue medical certificates beyond the period of her designation, which was flagged by the SAC online system. Her actions demonstrated a gross violation of civil aviation regulations, forcing the SAC to invalidate all certificates issued under her name after March 31.
Further investigations revealed that non-medical and unauthorised personnel were used to conduct medical assessments and to file fraudulent and incomplete medical reports in its system.
SAC has notified known operators who used the Doctor's services and issued a general notice to the broader aviation sector.
Said Civil Aviation Director Poppy Khoza: 'South Africa's aviation sector boasts an exemplary safety record, with no fatal accidents in the scheduled airline sector in nearly 40 years. While our investigations are continuing, we cannot ignore these findings. Ensuring the safety of aviation services is our top priority, and We will pursue all available legal measures to resolve this issue swiftly.'
SeaNews Turkey
