Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act, 1982 (Act No. 19 of 1982)RulesRules relating to the disciplinary processes against the veterinary and para-veterinary professionsProcedure at Inquiries into Professional Conduct3. Investigative Methodology A |
| (1) | On receipt of a complaint, the Registrar must advise the respondent of the complaint and forward a copy thereof to the respondent. |
| (2) | The Registrar must inform the respondent that he/she may furnish copies of the relevant clinical records within 72 hours. |
| (3) | Further that a typewritten explanation, in the form of a sworn and signed affidavit must be filed, before a date, not later than thirty (30) days from the date of the request, or as otherwise agreed on request of the respondent upon substantiation, to the Council. |
| (4) | The respondent must be warned that such an explanation may be used in evidence against him/her. |
| (5) | The respondent must be informed of his/her right to refuse to answer any allegations, in which case the complaint will be evaluated on the complainant's version only. |
| (6) | The respondent must be informed that he/she is entitled to seek legal representation prior to filing such on affidavit. |
| (7) | On receipt by the Registrar of an answering affidavit, it must be submitted to the complainant, who has the right to file a replying affidavit within ten (10) working days of receipt of the answering affidavit. |
| (8) | A copy of the replying affidavit must be submitted to the respondent. |
| (9) | On receipt by the Registrar of a replying affidavit, a bundle of all the documentation submitted must be collated for consideration by the Investigation Committee. |
| (10) | If no answering affidavit is received, the Registrar must report this to the Investigation Committee, who may then consider the complaint on the evidence available to it. |