A fake doctor found was busted after attempting to extort money from a patient at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. The incident, which occurred on a Sunday night, has prompted the Gauteng Department of Health to issue a warning to the public regarding the presence of bogus healthcare professionals.
Demanding a Bribe
The individual claiming to be Dr. Zulu, dressed in green scrubs, insisted that an accompanying person pay a sum of R700 before she could provide assistance to the patient. The suspicious nature of the demand prompted the escort to alert security personnel.
“The member of the public became suspicious when the bogus doctor advised her to meet at the pedestrian gate for the payment. The escort promptly notified security personnel, who apprehended the fraudulent doctor at the hospital’s pedestrian gate,” explained Motalatale Modiba, the spokesperson for the department.
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Fake Doctor arrested-Image Source@XBehind Bars
Further investigation revealed that when asked to present her Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA) registration number and a personal number by security and facility management, the fake doctor failed to do so. A case was subsequently opened at Diepkloof Police Station, leading to the imposter spending a night in custody. She is set to appear at the Orlando Magistrate Court.
The health department emphasizes the importance of public vigilance, advising against falling victim to such scams. Legitimate healthcare workers will never request direct payments from the public. Any fees payable at the hospital should be processed through patient administration, accompanied by an issued invoice specifying the purpose of the payment,” Modiba added.
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Notably, this incident follows the arrest of a fake Dr Matthew Lani at Helen Joseph Hospital last year. Lani, an influencer with a significant TikTok following, impersonated a medical doctor and was apprehended by security personnel attempting to enter the hospital at night. He falsely claimed to be one of the youngest medical graduates from Wits University, a statement debunked by the institution.
