A 50-year-old woman has been arrested in Midrand after authorities discovered that she had allegedly been operating as a medical doctor for more than ten years without any formal training or legal registration. The shocking revelation has raised serious concerns about patient safety and the ease with which unqualified individuals can infiltrate the healthcare system.
The arrest was carried out by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Tactical Response Unit following intelligence reports about an unregistered person providing medical services at a clinic on South Road in Midrand. Acting on this information, officers conducted a targeted operation at the premises and found the suspect in the middle of consultations with two patients.
When questioned by police, the woman was unable to produce any documents proving that she was authorised to practise medicine. In particular, she could not provide a valid practice number from the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), which is a legal requirement for anyone offering medical services in the country. The absence of this registration immediately raised red flags for the officers on the scene.
During further questioning, the suspect reportedly admitted that she had never received medical training and did not hold any recognised qualifications, certificates, or licences to work as a healthcare professional. She is also said to have confessed that she had been posing as a doctor for over a decade, misleading patients and operating outside the law for years without being detected.
A search of her consulting room led to the seizure of several items believed to have been used to sustain the fraudulent practice. These included six patients’ medical files, prescription pads, sick leave notes, eye screening certificates, and various official-looking documents. Some of the paperwork reportedly carried the names of legitimately registered medical practitioners, raising concerns about possible identity misuse and document falsification.
Among the confiscated materials were PCRDP certificates and other professional documents that investigators suspect were either fraudulently obtained or unlawfully used to give the impression that the practice was legitimate. Authorities are now examining these items to determine whether additional charges, such as forgery or identity fraud, may be added to the case.
The woman has been formally charged with fraud as well as contravening the Health Professions Act, which makes it a criminal offence to practise a healthcare profession without proper registration with the HPCSA. Police confirmed that she remains in custody and is expected to appear in court on Monday, where the charges against her will be formally presented.
The case has sparked concern among community members, particularly those who may have unknowingly received treatment from the suspect over the years. Law enforcement officials and health authorities have urged the public to always verify the credentials of healthcare providers before seeking medical care. They warned that unregistered practitioners not only break the law but also pose a serious risk to public health and safety.
Investigations are continuing, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility that more people could be implicated as the case unfolds.
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