By Everson Luhanga
From writing sick notes to providing HIV patients with ARV medication and dishing out abortion pills — all this was taking place within one bogus practice run by two Zimbabweans in Hillbrow, Johannesburg.
Even the undercover police officers got sick notes and abortion pills from the pair!
But the two men found at the practice called Twist Street Medical Centre are now in police custody at Hillbrow Police Station after their arrest on Friday afternoon.
The duo were arrested by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD).
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla confirmed the arrest to Scrolla.Africa.
Fihla said the swift action by the JMPD’s tactical response unit led to the arrest of two men between the ages of 47 and 54 for fraud (practising as health professionals while not registered with the Health Professions Council.
He said the officers received information regarding an alleged bogus doctor with a fraudulent practice at Twist Street in Hillbrow.
He said it is alleged that the fraudulent doctor issued medical certificates and conducted “backstreet” abortions.
“The officers followed up on the information as they monitored the movement of patients going in and out of the building.”
“The officers confronted the alleged bogus doctors to verify the legitimacy of the practice and the authenticity of the supporting documentation which is suspected to be fraudulent and downloaded from the internet,” said Fihla.
He said the alleged fake doctor denied being a doctor and claimed that he worked as a manager.
“When interrogated, a second male found in the building conceded that they were operating the medical practice illegally.”
“Assorted medical equipment and medication such as testing kits, ARV, and syringes were found, and an area with bloodstained buckets was also discovered,” Fihla added.
He said the men were arrested and detained at Hillbrow Police Station, where a case docket was opened for further investigation.
He added that the Health Professions Council of South Africa will be contacted to verify the authenticity of the alleged bogus doctor and medical practice.
Pictured above: Some of the medication found in possession of two bogus doctors in Hillbrow on Friday.
Image source: Everson Luhanga
