Accused charged with R3-million hospital fraud

Four accused facing charges of defrauding the State-owned Mseleni Hospital in Mbazwana of over R3-million will be back in the Manguzi Regional Court on Wednesday.

The matter, which involves two hospital employees and two ‘ghost’ employees, was reported in 2023 after employee verifications were conducted by all departments, and irregularities were found.

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Investigations determined that the number of staff did not match the payroll, and that salaries were being collected unlawfully.

While the ghost employees were living persons, it was found they were not employed at the hospital.

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It is believed the suspects were receiving multiple salaries unlawfully between 2021 and 2023, amounting to over R3-million.

Currently being investigated by the Provincial Commercial Crimes Investigation Unit based in Richards Bay and headed by Lieutenant Colonel VC Pillay, the matter is set down for a regional court decision this week.

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