in a field which is, in any case, one of the most tragic aspects of human suffering. Persons
charged with responsibility for the treatment of mental illness are not helped by the undermining
of public confidence ... these documents tend to undermine the public confidence in the
organisation which by statute is charged with the responsibility of treating mentally disordered
and defective people."1
14.10. Irresponsible criticisms of the kind referred to above are inappropriate regard
being had to the stringent safeguards embodied in the Mental Disorders Act No. 3* of 1916
(Republic of South Africa) as amended in regard to the procedures to be followed in dealing
with mentally deranged persons.
14.11. The dissemination of inaccurate, untruthful and harmful information in regard to
psychiatry and the field of mental health in general should, in the view of the Commission, be
prohibited by legislation. It is so recommended.
14.12. In making the above recommendation the Commission has not overlooked the evidence
given by Mr. D.B. Gaiman, the Deputy Guardian of the Church of Scientology World Wide. He acted
as the chief spokesman in favour of Scientology and he testified in the main on the nature of the
attacks on Scientology. This portion of the evidence comprises approximately 647 pages of
recorded testimony. His main thesis was that these attacks are the result of propaganda by
what Mr. Gaiman termed psychiatric front groups in different Western nations and that in the
Republic South Africa the South African National Council for Mental Health and its Director
were mainly responsible for the attack and the appointment of this Commission. The evidence was
heard in full but the Commission is of the view that its terms of reference clearly do not permit
it to make findings or recommendations in regard to Mr. Gaiman's allegations.
14.13. Neither was the startling evidence of Dr. T.S. Szasz, Professor of Psychiatry at
the University of Syracuse N.Y., relating to his views that mental illness is a myth considered
relevant to the terms of reference. The Commission considered itself powerless to widen the
scope of its enquiry to embrace these topics.
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1Record of Evidence, Vol. 26, pp. 3-4 - Dr. A.M. Lamont.
229