QUACKERY

SCIENCE

6 July 2020

Covid-19: Companies sell unnecessary “deep cleans” with exaggerated claims

Regular cleaning with standard household products is sufficient

By Natasha Bolognesi

By Natasha Bolognesi - 6 July 2020
Photo of HBOT machine

SCIENCE

15 March 2019

Quack claims about oxygen treatment are dangerous

Charlatans exploit patients for financial gain, say doctors

By Natasha Bolognesi

By Natasha Bolognesi - 15 March 2019
Photo of a shop

SCIENCE

16 May 2018

H₂O International’s motives not pure

The purifying company’s South African franchise has made unproven claims about municipal water

By Eryn Scannell and GroundUp Staff

By Eryn Scannell and GroundUp Staff - 16 May 2018
Photo of Natasha Bolognesi

SCIENCE

9 April 2018

How a journalist took an ethical stand and risked her job

Natasha Bolognesi refused to edit a bogus article

By George Claassen

By George Claassen - 9 April 2018
Logo of ASA

LAW

30 September 2017

Supreme Court of Appeal gives advertising authority its fangs back

Blow dealt to advertisers of quack medicines

By Safura Abdool Karim

By Safura Abdool Karim - 30 September 2017
Photo of toy duck

LAW

16 March 2017

Court strikes blow against quackery

Dr Hugh Brathwaite falsely claimed that his product could prevent HIV transmission

By Safura Abdool Karim

By Safura Abdool Karim - 16 March 2017
Photo of a man from the back sitting on the ground

NEWS

23 February 2017

For R5,000, sangoma will pray for an informal miner’s safety

Traditional doctor has struck gold with the fears of miners

By Ray Mwareya and Tichaona Jongwe

By Ray Mwareya and Tichaona Jongwe - 23 February 2017
Photo of pills

LAW

12 December 2016

Court affirms Medicines Control Council’s powers

Judgment is a victory for the scientific governance of medicine

By Safura Abdool Karim and Nathan Geffen

By Safura Abdool Karim and Nathan Geffen - 12 December 2016
Logo of the ASA

NEWS

15 November 2016

Advertising watchdog placed under Business Rescue

Lawyers will represent the institution on contingency basis in key upcoming court case

By Ashraf Hendricks

By Ashraf Hendricks - 15 November 2016
Photo of a man

NEWS

27 October 2016

Charges dropped against pastor who burnt sisters

Family of the victims outraged

By Nompendulo Ngubane

By Nompendulo Ngubane - 27 October 2016
Photo of two sisters

NEWS

18 October 2016

Two sisters burnt in church ceremony

Pastor promised magic remedy would heal them

By Nompendulo Ngubane

By Nompendulo Ngubane - 18 October 2016
Photo of bottles of snake oil

OPINION

30 May 2016

Complementary medicine companies are destroying consumer protection

Series of court actions aimed at Advertising Standards Authority

By Harris Steinman and Nathan Geffen

By Harris Steinman and Nathan Geffen - 30 May 2016
Photo of a hall with people

NEWS

10 May 2016

Medical experts question mayor giving platform to Patrick Holford

“Don’t follow Mbeki’s footsteps” says academic to Patricia de Lille

By Naib Mian

By Naib Mian - 10 May 2016

NEWS

19 April 2012

Company’s HIV treatment claim condemned

Clinicians and AIDS workers have condemned Imuniti Holdings for claims it is making about its nutritional supplements. Henry Stassen, from Edge to Edge Investments, which distributes for Imuniti, says the company manufactures a nutritional pack that eradicates HIV.

Mary-Jane Matsolo

Mary-Jane Matsolo - 19 April 2012