A retired auxiliary nurse who masqueraded as a qualified doctor charged patients R350 per “consultation” in his backyard.
Now the police are appealing to any “patients” who may have been examined by Vusumuzi Jeremiah Dhlamini to come forward.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu said that Dhlamini allegedly owned and ran a medical facility in his backyard and reportedly charged R350 per consultation.
An investigation revealed that he had allegedly stolen a doctor’s identity and on May 23 the authorities‚ including officials from the Department of Health‚ pounced.
“Dhlamini was found at home‚ and was slapped with a search warrant. [Officials] seized documents‚ medical apparatus‚ a medical bed‚ a computer and patient’s files. The team also seized a 9mm pistol with live rounds and [an] undisclosed amount of cash‚” said a statement issued by Mulamu.
Dhlamini appeared before the Heidelberg Magistrate's Court on Friday and was released on R5,000 bail. He is facing charges under the Medical Health Act and sections of the Arms and Ammunition Act.
“We are concerned about the mushrooming of these illegal practitioners because there are innocent lives at serious risk‚” said acting Hawks head Lieutenant General Yolisa Matakata.
“We are making a passionate plea to the public to come forward. We cannot allow this to go on and this is a warning to other so-called doctors across the country that we are coming after you. Many have remarkable fake diplomas from top universities. The best advice I can give to the public is to check the qualifications that they may have doubts about.”
Dhlamini is expected back in court on June 9.
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