[imagesource: Anwar Jeewa]

A Durban dentist posing as a doctor claimed to have treated “thousands” of people addicted to heroin and benzodiazepines (addictive anti-anxieties) with his “wonder cure”.

The so-called magical treatment called ibogaine is derived from the bark of the root of an African plant, Tabernanthe Iboga, which is said to induce psychedelic effects in users.

But now Anwar Mohamed Jeewa is on trial for the murder of Milos Martinovic, a Canadian man who died after being treated at the doctor’s illegal rehab centre in Westville.

Jeewa has subsequently been charged with murder, unlawfully selling a Schedule 6 substance, compounding a Schedule 6 substance, unlawfully manufacturing a Schedule 6 substance, exporting a Schedule 6 substance and establishing and managing an unregistered treatment centre, IOL reports.

During the trial at the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Durban, a shocking video revealed the callous way Milos died under the care of Jeewa, who walked into a room nonchalantly with Milos flailing around as the nurses tried to revive him before he passed away completely.

What Milos and his family didn’t know was that his “doctor” was only a dentist whose ‘centre’ was shut down by the Department of Health a year before he admitted himself, hoping for a new life, per The Citizen.

Forking out R32 000, Martinovic, an Austrian father of an eight-month-old baby who became addicted to an anti-depressant after his mom’s death, came to Jeewa’s Durban “drug rehab centre” Minds Alive Wellness Centre for the “miracle cure” for drug addicts the “doctor” punted.

If not for the 26-year-old father’s family – father Miki, brother Dorde and fiancée Brooke Rombough – who impelled investigative TV programme Carte Blanche to expose the “dentist-doctor” in 2019, Jeewa would not be in the dock now admitting to them: “I take responsibility. Full responsibility” and “I do not want to ever treat another patient again”, court documents show of secret recordings.

A Durban-based dentist stands accused of culpable homicide after he supplied the controversial rehab drug Ibogaine to his client. Now, the victim’s family is demanding answers. @Devi_HQ reports after the break on #CarteBlanche pic.twitter.com/alAoQD8myE

— Carte Blanche (@carteblanchetv) March 10, 2019

In another shocking recording, the dentist refers to his mentor as US doctor Jeffrey Kamlet –  the same Kamlet who was arrested in Miami on charges of human trafficking and rape in March this year.

In essence, Jeewa portrayed himself as a proficient specialist with vast expertise in ibogaine therapy for drug addiction. He participated in numerous conferences discussing ibogaine’s application, even as he was receiving advice against its use in treating benzodiazepine addiction.

Milos was addicted to Oxycontin (an opiate) and Xanax (known as alprazolam), which are benzodiazepine medications commonly prescribed to treat anxiety and panic disorder.

Milos was admitted to the facility in November 2017 and on the night of November 7, he was given three to four separate doses of ibogaine capsules by a nurse, even when Jeewa had advised that Milos continue taking his Xanax to avoid the withdrawal symptoms.

Senior State advocate Nadira Moosa said the State would prove that the accused did this knowing Xanax was a benzodiazepine and that ibogaine was contra-indicated for the treatment of addiction to benzodiazepines, and that the chances of fatality increased when benzodiazepines or opiates are taken together with other substances.

Consequently, Milos went into cardiac arrest and died.

Besides the murder case and Jeewa’s centre not being registered with the Departments of Social Development or Health, he also used the dry plant material to manufacture preparations containing ibogaine, which the State alleges he had no licence to do.

Jeewa had a permit to import Tabermanthe Iboga (dry plant material) from Gabon to South Africa, which he did on a regular basis.

Raids led by Lieutenant-Colonel Anton Booysen from the Hawks revealed 110 signed and stamped doctor’s prescriptions belonging to a Dr Danka.

Danka told the court he was a former customer at Minds Alive. He left his book of signed prescriptions with Jeewa for him to “complete the medication part”.

When asked why he left it, Danka said: “I know it was wrong. I am sorry.”

Jeewa’s advocate admitted that it was all about the money. The money trial shows that Jeewa profited majorly from selling his ibogaine concoction to patients, even sending some overseas.

Evidence also showed he profited by R27,000 a month for supplying a rehabilitation centre in Magaliesburg that had at least one recorded death after an ibogaine treatment in 2017.

Jeewa is set to testify this week.

[sources:iol&citizen]