The Gauteng provincial health department in South Africa has issued a cautionary advisory, urging residents not to engage in direct payments to healthcare workers following an incident involving an alleged fake doctor at the country’s largest hospital.
According to reports, a woman adorned in green scrubs bearing the name “Dr. Zulu” reportedly approached an escort of a patient at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, soliciting a payment of 700 rand ($36; £29) for purported assistance.
The escort became suspicious when the woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, suggested meeting at a pedestrian gate to complete the transaction. Subsequently, she failed to provide any credentials and was subsequently apprehended. The woman masquerading as a medical professional has yet to provide a statement regarding the incident.
The Gauteng health department emphasised the importance of vigilance against such scams, urging the public to be cautious.
“If there are any fees payable in the hospital, this will be done at patient administration, and an invoice will be issued to indicate exactly what the patient is paying for,” the department stated in a released statement.
Instances of individuals falsely claiming to be registered medical practitioners have raised significant concerns in South Africa. Last year, the health ministry disclosed that over 120 individuals had been arrested over the preceding three years in connection with allegedly fraudulent qualifications.
In a separate incident, TikTok personality Matthew Lani claimed to hold a medical doctorate from Wits University in Johannesburg, an assertion refuted by both the institution and the country’s Health Professions Council of South Africa. Lani later confessed to the falsehood, leading to the dismissal of charges related to the impersonation of a medical professional.