A 31-year-old doctor was released on R5 000 bail on Monday in connection with the alleged theft of medication and medical equipment found in her vehicle as she left work at Middleburg Hospital, Mpumalanga.
Health Department spokesperson Chris Nobela said a security guard who searched Gugu Bridget Masina’s car after her shift on Friday had alerted authorities.
Provincial police spokesperson Captain Magonseni Nkosi said the doctor could not explain why the equipment was concealed in her boot, so she had spent the weekend behind bars after her arrest, reports TimesLIVE.
She will return to court on 5 April, after the matter was postponed for further investigation.
The police stated that the medical equipment found in her boot was valued at R50 000; however, in court, the magistrate said the items were worth about R80 000, reports The Citizen.
According to Masina’s LinkedIn account, she works at Middelburg Provincial Hospital and obtained her degree at the former Medunsa, now known as Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University in Ga-Rankuwa.
The Mpumalanga Department of Health will also institute disciplinary action her, with Health MEC Sasekani Manzini condemning the incident.
“The MEC has warned that the department will take strong action against anyone who attempts to steal medication and medical equipment as it negatively affects health service delivery meant for our communities,” said Nobela.
The Citizen article – Bail granted for alleged crooked doctor (Open access)
TimesLIVE article – Medical equipment and meds in car boot: Mpumalanga doctor arrested (Open access)
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