A bogus doctor appeared in court on Monday. Image: X/@SABCNews.
CRIME: Foreign national bogus doctor expected to appear in court
A foreign national bogus doctor is set to appear before the Hendrina Magistrates’ Court for contravening the Health Professions Act.
A bogus doctor appeared in court on Monday. Image: X/@SABCNews.
A 38-year-old foreign national bogus medical doctor is expected to appear before the Hendrina Magistrates’ Court on 11 April 2023.
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Bogus doctor arrested
This comes after he was arrested during a joint intelligence driven operation conducted by the Middelburg based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team.
With the help of Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), they arrested the bogus doctor at Hendrina Med 24 on Wednesday, 5 April 2023.
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He was charged with practicing as a health professional while not registered with the council in terms of the Health Professions Act.
What led to the arrest?
It was reported that on Tuesday, 4 April 2023, the suspect who was monitored by the police for some time was finally found on duty.
The said doctor was interviewed by the HPCSA inspectors who discovered that he was not registered with the council as a medical practitioner.
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However, the ‘doctor’ allegedly informed the inspectors that he had his registration papers and he was instructed to produce the papers but he failed.
He was then arrested and charged with contravention of the Health Professions Act. Patients’ files and registers were confiscated for further investigation.
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The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Gerber said that he is pleased by the manner in which his team was able to collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure that the mandate of DPCI is carried out diligently.
“We are also grateful to the community for providing information that assisted to bring perpetrators to book. People must refrain from consulting dubious doctors, it is better to consult a doctor from the reputable medical institution.”
Major General Gerber
HAWKS INVESTIGATE FAKE DOCTORS
The Hawks launched the probe after receiving a tip-off about three men practising as medical practioners without licenses in the areas between Bellville and Khayelitsha.
The third suspect is not named as he could not be traced through the Hawks’ undercover operation.
READ MORE: Bogus doctor who worked as psychiatrist for 20 years, raking in over R28m convicted
The Hawks released a picture of a man who they believe can assist in finding the suspect.
