Johannesburg - A man who pretended to be a qualified medical doctor and even consulted with patients appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, the Hawks said.
Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesman Lieutenant Robert Netshiunda said Lawrence Tebogo Matheatau, 28, was arrested on Monday after he had approached a practicing medical doctor last year to partner with him in a surgery business in the Jouberton township outside of Klerksdorp.
“A consensus was reached and an agreement contract was signed and sealed, with Matheatau agreeing to earn R25 000 per month. On 9 December 2015, the fake doctor hit the ground running and started assisting patients and was dully remunerated as per agreement,” Netshiunda said.
“But the surgery owner became suspicious when Matheatau started asking questions which a qualified doctor should provide answers for even in his sleep.”
The surgery owner contacted police and an investigation was launched by the Hawks. It was discovered that Matheatau was not registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), and that his medical practice number was fake.
“The Hawks paid him a visit and found that it was business as usual. Soon after the end of one of his consultation sessions, the fake doctor was arrested,” he said.
Matheatau is expected to appear in court again on February 10.
African News Agency.
* Use IOL’s Facebook and Twitter pages to comment on our stories. See links below.