Department of Jurisprudence

Prof M Slabbert

College of Law
School of Law
Department: Jurisprudence
Professor
Tel: 012 433 9497
E-mail: slabbm@unisa.ac.za

Qualifications

  • BA, 1983, University of the Free State
  • Hons B Journalism, 1984, University of Stellenbosch
  • HED, 1985, University of the Free State
  • B Proc, 1998, Unisa
  • LLB, 2000, Unisa
  • LLD, 2003 University of the Free State

Currently teaching

  • Business and Workplace Ethics
  • Law for Social Workers

Fields of academic interests

  • Medical Law and Ethics

Journal articles

PUBLICATIONS IN ACCREDITED JOURNALS

  •  Slabbert M and Labuschaigne M “Rendering of first aid: the legal position” (2024) 87(3) THRHR 294-309
  • Kwinda MA, Labuschaigne M and Slabbert M “Powers of the Registrar of the Health Professions Council to institute investigations under the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974” (2024) 57(1) De Jure 17-23
  • Slabbert M and Labuschaigne M ““CRYING OVER SPILLED MILK?”—The legal regulation of breast milk in South Africa” 2023 86(2) THRHR 213
  • Slabbert M en Labuschaigne M “Nierversaking en ’n orgaanoorplanting in Met ’n ompaddeur Berna Ackerman – ’n regsletterkundige ondersoek” 2023 Litnet
  • Slabbert M and Labuschaigne M “Lung transplants in South Africa: Why not a Prescribed Minimum Benefit?” 2023 (37) Spec Juris
  • Slabbert M, Labuschaigne M and Kwinda M “Inconsistent and irregular approaches in the handling of complaints by the Health Professions Council of South Africa – Haeck v Health Professions Council of South Africa(2021/11449) [2022] ZAGPJHC 690 (13 September 2022); Health Professions Council of South Africa and Others v Grieve (1356/2019) [2021] ZASCA 06 (15 January 2021) 2023 86(3) THRHR 394.
  • Slabbert M en Labuschaigne M “Vonnisbespreking: Mediese nalatigheid – vertraging in oorplasing van pasiënt na geskikte sorg; en of nalatigheid oorsaaklik verband hou met amputasie van pasiënt se been Louw v Patel(245/2021) [2023] ZASCA 22 (9 Maart 2023)” 2023 Litnet
  • Labuachaigne M and Slabbert M “Research involving human participants and their biological material: A South African perspective” 2022 Integrity of Scientific Research (Book) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99680-2_11
  • Kwinda M, Labuscaigne M and Slabbert M “Disciplinary proceedings against healthcare practitioners facing criminal charges: The role of the Health Professions Council” 2022 SAJBL 15(2) 44-47
  • Slabbert M and Labuschaigne M “Doctors' Fees for Private Health Care: A Legal
  • Perspective” 85 2022 THRHR
  • Slabbert M and Labuschaigne M “Alleged Negligence and Cerebal Palsy: Bad
  • Lawyering and a Disappointing Outcome: The MEC for Health & Social Development Gauteng v TM obo MM(380/2019) [2021] SCA 110 (10 August 2021) 2022 THRHR
  • Slabbert M and Labuschaigne M “Legal reflections on the doctor-patient relationship in preparation for South Africa’s National Health Insurance” 2022 SAJBL
  • Slabbert M en Labuschaigne M “Misplaaste weldade en griewe van die ‘liquorice allsorts” gesin: ‘n Regsletterkundige verkenning van Zelda Bezuidenhout se Die waarde van stil bure” 2022 Litnet
  • Slabbert M en Labuschaigne M “Vonnisbespreking: Die strafregtelike vervolging, skuldigbevinding en kwytskelding van ‘n verloskundige en ginekoloog: Van der Walt v S [2020] ZACC 19” 2022 Litnet
  • Mahomed S, Labuscaigne M and Slabbert M “Justice in the provision of healthcare services – a stifled right in the private sector” (2022) 15(3) SAJBL
  • Slabbert M and Venter B “Burn victims and skin donations: A legal perspective”? 2021 Obiter (42)(2) 289-311
  • Slabbert M and Labuschaigne M “Aquamation: legal nail in burial and cremation’s coffin?” 2021 De Jure (54)359-369
  • Slabbert M (case discussion) Pregnancy loss: Voice of the unborn baby NPC v Minister of Home Affairs [2021] JOL 49991 (GP) 2021 THRHR (84)(4) 616-622
  • Slabbert M (NOTES) “The Law and an Ancestral Request or Exhumation” 2020 Obiter (41)(4)

 926-933

  • Slabbert M (case discussion) “Dialysis denied in terms of the provisions of the National Health Act 61 of 2003 AE v Chief Executive Officer Helen Joseph Hospital” 2020 THRHR 293-298
  • (Book) Labuschaigne M and Slabbert M Understanding National Health Insurance in South Africa: A legal perspective Juta 2020
  • Labuschaigne M and Slabbert M “Unpacking the South African national health insurance Bill: Potential impact and legal issues” 2020 THRHR 83(4) 471-491
  • Labuschaigne M, Slabbert M, Budree S, Hoosein E, Brink A and Blockman M “The ethicolegal framework relevant to human faecal microbiota transplants in South Africa: Part 1. A legal vacuum” 2020 SAMJ 812-815
  • Labuschaigne M, Slabbert M, Budree S, Hoosein E, Brink A and Blockman M “The ethicolegal framework relevant to human faecal microbiota transplants in South Africa: Part 2. Human stool as tissue” 2020 SAMJ 816-821
  • Labuschaigne M, Slabbert M, Budree S, Hoosein E, Brink A and Blockman M “The ethicolegal framework relevant to human faecal microbiota transplants in South Africa: Part 3. Stool as a ‘drug’ or medicine” 2020SAMJ 819-821
  • Slabbert M and Venter B “Autonomy in organ donations v family consent: A South African legislative context” 2019 De Jure 458-467
  • Venter B and Slabbert M “S v Frederiksen (33/2016) ZAFSHC161; SACR 29 (FB) (14 September 2017): Human tissue in a freezer: a crime or not?” 2019 De Jure 109-114
  • Slabbert M and Mnyongani FD “A Jehovah’s Witness’s autonomy versus the interests of her children ES v AC(SA 57/2012) [2015] NASC 11 (24 June 2015)” 2018 THRHR 81(2)
  • Slabbert M and Mnyongani FD “The cost of indifference in a medical negligence case: Lushaba v MEC for Health, Gauteng (17077/2012 [2014] ZAGPJHC 407 (16 October 2014))” 2018 Obiter 39(2)
  • Slabbert M “The law as an obstacle in solid organ donations and transplantations” 2018 THRHR 81(1) 70
  • Slabbert M and Molusi AP “The possible effect of the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 on organ and tissue donations” 2017 Obiter (3)
  • Slabbert M and Venter B “Routine referrals: A possible solution for transplantation shortages” 2017 SAJBL 15-19.
  • Slabbert M “Pregnancy loss: A burial or medical waste” 2017 THRHR (80) (1) 102-112.
  • Slabbert M “Burial or cremation – who decides?” 2016 De Jure (49) (2) 230-241
  • Slabbert M “Donated human tissue: Is it a medical device or just tissue?” 2016 Obiter (37) (3) 523-534.
  • Slabbert M and Edeling “Serious injury claims rejected by the Road Accident Fund: the appeal process” 2016Obiter (37) (1) 20-35.
  • Slabbert M and Venter B “Organ procurement in Israel: Lessons for South Africa” 2015 SAJBL (8) (2) 44-47.
  • Slabbert M “Xenotransplantation”2015 Obiter (36) (3) 725-737.
  • Boome D and Slabbert M “The judicial approach to contingency fee agreements in South Africa” 2015 THRHR(78) 407-424.
  • Britz T and Slabbert M “Wrongful suffering: a life that should never have been” 2015 THRHR (78) 577-588.
  • Roos A and Slabbert M “DEFAMATION ON FACEBOOK: Isparta v Richter and Another 2013 (6) SA 529 (GNP)” 2014 PER (17) (6) 2844-2868.
  • Slabbert M and Boome D "Reformation from criminal to lawyer: Is such redemption possible?" 2014 PER (17) (4) 1498-1515.
  • Slabbert M and Venter B "The dead teaching the living – Body Worlds" 2014 Obiter (35) (2) 188-204.
  • Slabbert M "Road Accident Fund serious injury claims and judicial precedent. The Supreme
  • Court of Appeal has spoken RAF v Duma 202/2012 and three related cases [2012] ZASCA 169 (27 Nov 2012)” 2013 Obiter (34) (3) 623-630.
  • Slabbert M and Venter B "Rewarding a living kidney donor: A comparison between South Africa, Singapore and Iran" 2013 Obiter (34) (2) 185-199.
  • Slabbert M and Pienaar H B “Using a locum tenens in a private practice” 2013 PER (16) (4) 95-123.
  • Slabbert M “Superfluous litigation, in a wrong forum about nothing: when lawyers and experts collude Motswai v RAF 2012 SA (GSJ) Case No: 2010/17220” 2013 Obiter (34) (1) 166-
  • Slabbert M and Edeling H “The Road Accident Fund and serious injuries: the narrative test” 2012 PER (15) (2) 268-290.
  • Slabbert M “This is my kidney I should be able to what I want with it: towards a legal framework for organ transplants in South Africa” 2012 Medicine and Law (31) (4) 617-640.
  • De Villiers J-H and Slabbert M “’Never let me go’: Science fiction and legal reality” 2012 Literator  (32) (3) 85-104.
  • Slabbert M and Oosthuizen H “The payment for an organ and the admission of guilt by a

South African hospital” 2011 Obiter (32) (3) 740-746.

  • Slabbert M “The requirement of being a “fit and proper” person for the legal profession” 2011 PER (14) (4) 209-232.
  • Slabbert M, Mnyongani F D, Goolam N “Religions generally support altruistic organ donations – should they condemn rewarded gifting: Law, religion and organ transplants” 2011 KOERS (76) (2) 261-282.
  • Slabbert M and Van der Westhuizen C “Geen seks geen skadevergoeding” 2011 Obiter (32)(1) 204-210.
  • Slabbert M “Ethics, justice and the sale of kidneys for transplantation purposes” 2010 PER

 (13) (2) 2-31.

  • Slabbert M “This is my kidney, I can do what I want with it” 2009 Obiter (3) 499-517.
  • Slabbert M “One heart – two patients: Who gets a donor organ?” 2009 Stellenbosch Law
  • Review (1) 124-138.
  • Slabbert M “Combat organ trafficking – reward the donor or regulate sales? 2008 KOERS (73)  (1) 75-99.
  • Slabbert M and Van der Westhuizen C “Death with dignity in lieu of euthanasia” 2007 SA Public Law 2007 (2) 366-384.
  • Slabbert M and Oosthuizen H “Establishing a market for human organs in South Africa Part 2: Shortcomings in legislation and the current system of organ procurement” 2007 Obiter (28) (2) 304-323.
  • Slabbert M and Oosthuizen H “Establishing a market for human organs in South Africa Part 1: A proposal” 2007 Obiter (28) (1) 44-64.
  • Van der Westhuizen C and Slabbert M “Wysigings van die bepalings van ‘n liefdadigheidstrust: Minister of Education v Syfrets Trust Ltd NO 2006 (4) SA 205 (C)” 2007 TSAR (1) 206-214.

Publications in non-accredited journals:

  • Slabbert M and Oosthuizen H “Commercialisation of human organs for transplantation: A view from South Africa” 2005 Medicine and Law (24)
  • Slabbert M “A new skills course for law students (SCL1014)” 2006 Codicillus (47)
  • Slabbert M “Developing a skills course for distance law students” 2009 Progressio (31)

Paper presentations

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
  • 16th World Congress on Medical Law

         City:                                    Toulouse

         Country:                             France

         Date:                                   6 August 2006 – 14 August 2006

         Delivered a paper on organ transplantation and acted as chairperson of a session

         Title of paper: “Commercialisation of human organs for transplantation In South Africa”

  • The 5th Greek Conference (Medical Law)

         City:                                   Island Kos

         Country:                            Greece

          Date:                                 15 September – 22 September 2007

            Attendance only

  •  XXI Congress of the International Academy of Legal Medicine

           City:                                   Lisbon

           Country:                            Portugal

          Date:                                  28 – 30 May 2009                   

          Delivered a paper on the ownership of human body parts

          Title of paper: “Property rights and ownership of human organs”

 

  • UNESCO Chair in Bioethics, Medical Ethics and Health Law

            City:                                     Naples

            Country:                              Italy

            Date:                                    19-21 November 2013

            Delivered a paper on Body Worlds

            Title of paper:  The dead teaching the living – Body Worlds

 

  • Law Teachers

             City:                                    Swakopmund

             Country:                             Namibia

             Date:                                   January 2017

             Delivered a paper on organ donations

             Title of paper: Organ donations do we really want to make a difference?

SEMINARS
  • One day seminar hosted by the Department of Jurisprudence in the School of Law at Unisa

        Topic: Problems relating to the legal regulation of human tissue, reproduction and health research

           Unisa: 11 September 2009

           Delivered a paper on the ownership of human organs

           Title of paper: Property rights and ownership of human organs

  • One day seminar hosted by the South African Medico Legal Society

         Topic: Ethics in Medical negligence cases

         Rooth & Wessels, Brooklyn: 20 June 2009

         Delivered a paper on professional ethics

         Title of paper: Ethical rules/codes can inform a conscience but not create one

  • Evening seminar hosted by the Association of Orthopedic Surgeons

          Topic: Ethics

          Villa Sterne, Waterkloofrif: 21 October 2009

          Delivered a paper on professional ethics

         Title of paper: Professional ethics in medicine

 

  • Delivered a paper: Human Tissue Symposium, University of    

            Kwazulu-Natal

            Title of paper: Organ procurement – do we really want to make a difference?

  • Delivered training for LEAD 2015 - date: Introductory law module for health workers as well as medical law for lawyers.
  • Delivered a paper: HIV positive donor organs transplanted to HIV negative recipients – A legal perspectiveat the 20th Annual Controversies and Problems in Surgery workshop, 9 October 2016, Pretoria
  • Delivered a paper: Medical negligence and Expert Witnessing at the 11th Biennial Congress of the Podiatry Association of South Africa, Johannesburg 20 August 2017.
  • Delivered a paper: Medical Negligence for SASREG 20 October 2021

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

  • Admitted as an advocate, 1999
  • Excellence in Tuition Award Technicon Pretoria, 2000
  • Chairperson of the South African Medico-Legal Society

Other

  • Organisation: American College of Dis/Ability Medicine and American Board of Independent Medical Examiners

Completed a 4-hour continuing education in the study of the: Medicolegal Report Writing and Court Testimony Skills

Johannesburg, May 4, 2014

  • Organisation: The Centre for Higher and Adult Education, University of Stellenbosch

Completed a workshop on Postgraduate Supervision

University of Stellenbosch 5-7 May 2010

  • Organisation: Mentoring for success

Completed a 2-day Mentors’ Masterclass Workshop

26-27 August 2009

  • Organisation: LEAD (Law Society of South Africa)

Completed the Medical Law update course

7 April 2011

  • Organisation: Unisa Centre for Community Training and Development

Completed: Advanced Short Course in Outcome-based Assessment in Higher Education and Open Distance Learning

8 May 2010

  • Organisation: North West University

Philosophy 2 Passed both semester PHIL 2 21 72%, Phil 2 11 76%

2012-2013

  • Organisation: Conflict Dynamics under the Africa Centre for Dispute Settlement (Univ of Stellenbosch)

Completed the course: Commercial Mediation Accreditation Programme (I am an accredited mediator)

22-26 September 2014

  • Founder member of SATiBA (South African Tissue Bank Association) 18 September 2015
  • I have been the chairperson of the South African Medico-legal Association between 2011 and 2013
  •  I teach an online 6-week course in Medical Law for LEAD.
  • I regularly give one-day lectures for LEAD on expert evidence or medical law in general.
  • I am an elected trustee of Bestmed.