By Kaya 959 Reporter
A Congolese national has been arrested for practising as a medical doctor without a licence. Henri Kabenga, 37, was nabbed by the Hawks.
He had been practising at the Grace Medical Practice in Mpumalanga and was not registered as a medical doctor.
Hawks spokesperson, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, said they were alerted after it was established that Kabenga had been treating patients but was not registered as a medical practitioner.
She said Hawks officers and an inspector from the Health Professional Council of SA went to the practice. A receptionist at the facility confirmed that Kabenga was the doctor on duty.
“A search was conducted and the suspect did not have valid documentation that allowed him to practise as a doctor,” she said.
Kabenga was arrested for contravention of Section 17(1)(a) of the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974.
“The charges relate to practising as a doctor by seeing patients, and issuing medicines without being registered with the HPCSA, ” Sekgotodi added.
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SA doctor reported for unprofessional conduct
A further investigation conducted by the HPCSA established that Kabenga had been working as a medical practitioner where a Dr NM Phoba is registered with the council.
The Council said Phoba will be reported for her unprofessional conduct.
“The HPCSA is once again cautioning practitioners to verify the status of the locums they employ with the council, as unregistered locums practising as healthcare practitioners pose a serious risk to the lives of the public,” the council said.
In July, Daniel Ditaba Kati was arrested after he was found to be practising as a doctor despite not being registered with the council.
The council held a joint operation with the members of the Klerksdorp Serious Commercial Crimes Unit at the medical practice situated at building 24 Kruger Street in Wolmaransstad in the North West.
The council once again issued a warning to bogus practitioners to refrain from masquerading as healthcare practitioners as this has dire consequences to the public.
“The public is also advised of the dangers of consulting with unlicensed practitioners,” it said.
The public can verify a practitioners’ status by checking the HPCSA iRegister or calling the Call Centre on 012 338 9300/1.
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