Medical professionals condemn Variava's suspension

On Monday, Professor Ebrahim Variava was suspended without warning, from his position as Head of Internal Medicine at the Tshepong public sector hospital in Klerksdorp. 

He worked at the hospital for the past 20 years. 

According to his suspension letter, Variava will receive his full salary, pending an investigation into allegations including bullying, intimidation and insubordination.

Top medical professionals have written an open letter, calling for the withdrawal of his suspension. 

Melanie Rice spoke to one of the authors of the open letter, Professor Neil Martinson, CEO of the Perinatal HIV Research Unit.