A bogus Cape Town doctor was sentenced in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crimes Court yesterday.

According to IoL, Rashid Mahfouz pleaded guilty to charges of fraud, forgery, contravention of the Health Professions Act, contravention of the Medicines and Related Substances Act and corruption earlier this month.

Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi said the crimes were perpetrated in 2023.

‘The accused practised illegally as a doctor without being registered as prescribed by the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974. He issued sick notes and dispensed medication to unsuspecting patients, using the details of another doctor, who is registered,' Vukubi said.

While his case was ongoing, Mahfouz also attempted to bribe a court official.

It was also revealed that Mahfouz was previously convicted and sentenced, on the same charges, in 2020 to a fine of R5 000 and five years imprisonment which was suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit similar offences during this period.

The court sentenced him to two years direct imprisonment. 

The judicial process also invoked his suspended sentence of five years imprisonment for similar offences that he had been convicted of in 2020.

This will now begin on 23 January 2025.

Full IoL report