Crackdown on bogus doctors gains momentum
The nationwide crackdown on health-care practitioners operating illegally is gaining momentum with arrests made around the country, Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) has noted.
The HPCSA’s inspectorate office, in a joint operation with members of the SAPS, conducted an inspection in Kuruman, Northern Cape, where Mr Tshifata Katembwe, a Congolese national, was found practising as a medical practitioner while not registered with Council, said spokesperson Christopher Tsatsawane.
IoL reports that he said it was discovered that Katembwe has been working at a medical practice registered to one Dr TK Gopane since January 2022.
He added that Katembwe was working in contravention of Section 17(1) of the Health Professions Act, 56 of 1974.
Katembwe appeared before the Kuruman Magistrate’s Court last week, and his case was postponed.
Tsatsawane said Dr Gopane is registered with the HPCSA Council as a medical practitioner, and will be reported to the Medical and Dental Professions Board for appointing an unregistered person, ‘thereby putting the health of unsuspecting members of the public at risk’.
In another incident, the HPCSA’s inspectorate office arrested a bogus medical practitioner who impersonated a registered practitioner and used her registration credentials to practise illegally.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
