Businessman Frank Buyanga seeks urgent medical treatment during Randburg court appearance

Businessman Frank Buyanga on Wednesday again appeared in the Randburg Magistrate's Court in connection with an immigration-related matter that has kept him in custody without bail for more than three years.

During proceedings, Buyanga repeatedly coughed as he addressed the court, requesting permission to attend urgent medical appointments with two specialists. He told the magistrate that he had been scheduled to see Dr. Feinberg and his physician, Dr. Glenn Chikuma, and appealed for authorities to ensure he was taken to both consultations.

Buyanga said the appointments had already been approved through the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) and argued that the court and the State should intervene to ensure he receives appropriate medical treatment.

He alleged that despite submitting medical requests weeks ago, correctional authorities had failed to take him to his appointments or respond adequately to requests made by his legal representative.

Buyanga further claimed that he had been diagnosed with tuberculosis for a second time and that recent medical tests showed his liver was not functioning properly. He told the court that his condition required urgent specialist assessment and treatment.

He also criticised the medical care he had received while in custody, describing treatment at Baragwanath Hospital as inadequate. Buyanga alleged that correctional officials had not provided him with a face mask despite his reported tuberculosis diagnosis, placing both himself and others at risk.

He said his previous tuberculosis diagnosis had only been identified after his private physician intervened, despite earlier concerns allegedly being dismissed.

The investigating officer informed the court that arrangements had been made to take Buyanga to see Dr. Feinberg immediately after the court proceedings and that every effort would be made for him to also consult Dr. Chikuma on the same day.

Buyanga told the court he intended to return the following day to confirm whether he had received the medical treatment. He also requested permission to appear in another courtroom to seek a postponement of a separate matter after learning that it had been postponed in his absence.

The court indicated that Buyanga should first be taken for medical treatment before any further court appearances.

Buyanga, 43, was charged on 28 November 2022 in South Africa with fraud and contravention of the Immigration Act. Bail was denied at the time because he was also wanted in Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwean charges are connected to a long-running custody dispute with the mother of his minor child. The dispute escalated in 2020 when Buyanga allegedly took the child to South Africa without the mother’s consent.

The legal situation grew more complicated when a South African police constable was arrested in connection with fraud and immigration violations linked to Buyanga’s case.