Charges on South Africa 'kidney trafficking syndicate'

Pretoria, 17 Sept-(ANA)-Five doctors from South Africa's health group Netcare have been charged for allegedly participating in an international kidney trading syndicate.

Netcare's hospital in Durban allegedly conducted more than 100 operations in 2001-03 in which poor Brazilians and Romanians were paid to donate kidneys to wealthy Israelis.

Netcare is accused of making large profits from the operations.

It has denied any involvement in the alleged racket.

As well as the five doctors, charges were also issued against two transplant unit staff, Netcare group, Netcare's chief executive officer, and the Durban hospital where the operations are alleged to have taken place, South Africa's Mercury and Times newspapers reported.

An Israeli interpreter was also charged. (ANA)

FA/ANA/17 September 2010---------