A woman masquerading as a medical doctor and her alleged assistant have been arrested for practicing without a licence.
A joint operation involving Komani Crime Intelligence, DPCI,
K9, VIS and the South African Health Products Authority netted two suspects, aged between 33 and 40 on
Thursday, January 21 in Molteno, Chris Hani District.
According to police spokesperson, Brigadier Tembinkosi
Kinana, the operation followed after information was received from Crime
Intelligence in September last year that one of the suspects was practicing
without a licence and operating as a medical doctor in Molteno.
“The reports further alleged that the suspect was not
registered with the Health Professional Council of South Africa, but
nonetheless was dispensing medication to patients,” said Kinana.
“Reports suggest that the bogus doctor started practicing in
2018.”
Kinana added in order to verify the authenticity of these
allegations, the investigators contacted the Health Professional Council of
South Africa which provided an affidavit in support of the allegations against
the bogus doctor.
“Subsequently, an operation dubbed ‘Operation Corona’ was
conducted by the integration of role-players which included the South African
Health Products Regulatory Authority Unit,” said Kinana.
“Consequently, the two suspects were found doing business in
their surgery and were immediately arrested by the police. One of the two
suspects, the assistant, is believed to be a boyfriend of the bogus doctor.”
Kinana said on the second day after the surveillance of the
surgery the previous day, an intensive search was conducted in the surgery and
the house of the bogus doctor.
“Medication estimated at R700 000 and used and unused needles
for injection were confiscated,” said Kinana.
Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Thembisile
Patekile, hailed the success of the operation and further expressed concern
about the unending degree of fraud and corruption in the society.
“As management of the SAPS in the Province, we are on record
as having warned people against fraudulent activities on many occasions. Those
who are adamant and believe these are only idle threats, must suffer the
consequences of their actions,” said Patekile.
The two suspects will be
charged for fraud and contravention of the Medicine Act No 101/1965 and are
expected to appear in the Queenstown Magistrate’s Court today, January 22.
