Dodgy doc sentenced for R2.25 accident fund fraud; avoids prison time

Doctor Tony Moodley appeared in the Gqeberha Specialised Crime Court on Wednesday, 1 June, for sentencing related to charges of defrauding the Road Accident Fund (RAF) of R2.25 million.

The doctor’s dodgy dealings in 2007 finally caught up to him when he was found guilty on 14 December 2020.

MOODLEY RECEIVED KICKBACKS FROM UNDESERVING PATIENTS

According to Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, Moodley was the mastermind behind a bunch of fraudulent Road Accident Fund claims on 17 June 2007.

The doctor reportedly treated 83 patients that were involved in a head-on collision between two buses on 16 June 2007 near Walmer in Gqeberha.

“The claims were lodged with the local attorneys who claimed on behalf of the passengers from the Road Accident Fund,” said Mgolodela.

“Consequently, cash to the combined value of R2.25 million was paid out for all claimants. Moodley is said to have received kickbacks from undeserving claimants,” added the spokesperson.

RAF SMELLS A RAT

The Road Accident Fund noticed some inconsistencies when examining the claims – the order of events did not add up and some of the patients did not qualify for a payout.

The RAF reported the matter to the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in Gqeberha. The Hawks eventually arrested Moodley on 2 July 2015 and he was released with a warning on the same day, said Mgolodela.

On Tuesday, the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crime Court sentenced the doctor to 36 months correctional supervision and 576 hours of community service at Livingstone Hospital.