Another case of a bogus doctor was reported by the department of health in Gauteng on Wednesday.
This follows the Tuesday night capture of a female imposter at Thembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital near Kempton Park, east of Johannesburg, who was posing as the doctor.
The bogus doctor spent a night in detention after she was turned over to the police, according to the department.
Motalatale Modiba, the spokesperson for the department, said the hospital has filed a case at Rabasotho police station in Thembisa, and the suspect is due in court soon.
Putting lives in harms way
“Unqualified individuals posing as medical professionals put innocent lives at risk,” said Modiba.
“It is a criminal offence for any person to impersonate healthcare professionals and to practise while not registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.”
He said the hospital and the police are looking into the situation to determine how the fake doctor gained access to the medical facility.
“The department is continuously strengthening measures at facilities to safeguard the wellbeing of patients and staff.
“Our employees and the public are urged to be vigilant against imposters who seek to undermine the work of healthcare professionals,” said Modiba.
Police have confirmed the arrest and that the fake doctor will appear in court soon.
Fake doctor Matthew Lani
This case comes after the most notable deed of content creator Matthew Lani, who, in October 2023, assumed the identity of a doctor.
Lani was taken into custody after trying to elude security at Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg by dressing like a surgeon and using a stethoscope.
The department claims that Lani attempted to jump out of a bathroom window in order to avoid being taken into custody by the police, but he was apprehended.
Despite disclosing to his social media followers that he is a licenced medical practitioner from Wits University, Lani later backtracked and claimed, via his lawyers, that he was only producing engaging content for his audience.
