Three bogus doctors from Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo have been arrested working in the registered practice of a Springs doctor.
Springs residents were shocked to see their "doctors" leave the surgery in handcuffs after being arrested for pretending to be medical practitioners when they were not, reports The Star. Sick patients had to be turned back after they were informed that the people operating from those premises were actually bogus doctors.
According to spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Kobedi Mokheseng, the three arrested men are from Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. "The trio failed to produce their qualifications, relevant documents and practice numbers on request, alleging that they are in Congo and Nigeria," he said.
They have appeared in the Springs Magistrate's Court.
The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) said in the report the surgery belongs to Dr Kunnumpurathu James Mathew but he was not there at the time. It said Dr Bondo Crispin Muamba, from the DRC, was practising as a medical practitioner. Bendele Oluwagbemiga, from Nigeria, was practising as a phlebotomy technician (drawing patient’s blood) while Rija Jose was found dispensing medication.
The council said doctors needed to refrain from allowing unregistered person to use their names and operate illegal practices.
[link url="https://www.iol.co.za/the-star/news/bogus-doctors-leave-surgery-in-handcuffs-as-their-shocked-patients-look-on-37066429"]The Star report[/link]