A 50-year-old foreign woman accused of posing as a medical doctor was arrested in Midrand on January 28 after allegedly being found consulting patients without the required qualifications or registration.
The suspect was arrested by the JMPD Tactical Response Unit (TRU) on charges of fraud and contravention of the Health Professions Act.
According to JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla, officers received information about a 50-year-old Pakistani national who was allegedly impersonating a registered medical practitioner at Medical Clinic on South Road in Midrand.
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The officers proceeded to the clinic, where they found the female suspect actively consulting with two patients.
“She was requested to produce relevant documents authorising her to practise medicine, including a valid practice number. The female failed to provide any such documentation,” said Fihla.
Upon further questioning, Fihla said the suspect admitted that she had not completed her medical practitioner studies and did not possess the required qualifications or certificates.
“She further stated that she had been practising as a medical practitioner for more than 10 years without valid documentation.”
The officers seized six patients’ files, including stationery such as sick notes, prescriptions, and completed eye screening certificates. City of Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, commended the JMPD TRU for the arrest.
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“The suspect was found consulting patients without valid registration or documentation and admitted to practising unlawfully for over 10 years,” stated the MMC.
“The JMPD seized patient files and fraudulent medical documents, and the suspect faces charges of fraud and contravention of the Health Professions Act.
This incident highlights the importance of verifying medical professionals’ credentials to ensure patient safety.”
The Health Professions Council of South Africa has previously warned about bogus doctors and urged the public to report suspicious individuals.
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