The Hawks arrested eight bogus medical practitioners who were allegedly practising without medical licences at Lister Building in the Johannesburg CBD.
The suspects have been charged with fraud, corruption and contravention of the medical act.
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This is reportedly the second time this year that bogus doctors have been arrested at the same building. In June, City Buzz reported that the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court imposed penalties and suspended sentences on a group of bogus doctors who had carried out illegal abortions at Lister Building.
The Hawks conducted the investigation in collaboration with the Medicines Control Council, the Road Traffic Management Corporation, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Medscheme and Discovery Health.
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A statement from the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) read, ‘… the HPCSA further warns bogus practitioners to refrain from masquerading as healthcare practitioners as this has dire consequences to the public. The public is also advised of the dangers of consulting with unlicensed practitioners.’
Hawks spokesperson Carol Molamo said, “All suspects are remanded in custody. They will be appearing in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on 30 October 2017. The case is postponed for further investigation and verification of addresses as well as the validity of citizenship.”
