The Hawks’ serious commercial crime investigation unit has charged a Durban doctor (84) with fraud for certifying the “death” of someone who was still alive, in a R6.5m life insurance scam.
Spokesperson Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo said the GP, arrested last week, was apparently asked by a funeral parlour owner to certify the death in May 2020, reports TimesLIVE, after which Home Affairs issued the certificate and the insurance claim was submitted.
When questioned, the suspects said the body had been cremated, but further investigation revealed the “deceased” was still very much alive.
The doctor claimed to have seen the dead body before issuing the certificate dead, Mhlongo said.
The life policy holder, Emmanuel Ponen, the claimant Merlin Munusamy and the owner of the funeral parlour, Sifiso Gabela, were arrested last year, and will all appear in court on 17 March.
TimesLIVE article – Doctor, 84, who certified false death charged with fraud (Open access)
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