A Zimbabwe national and eight workers from Checkers have been arrested over multiple fraudulent medical certificates.
Matters came to a head when as many as 19 Checkers’ employees based in Northmead Square in Benoni submitted 41 fraudulent medical certificates under the name of Dr. MLA Modisane.
The workers used the fake medical certificates to cover up for absenteeism from work.
Acting on this information, the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) Inspectorate Office in collaboration with the Ekurhuleni East Crime Intelligence and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department Community Liaison Unit launched a probe into the matter.
The investigation led to one Christopher Kutoka – a Zimbabwean National.
A trap was set and Kutoka was caught red-handed at a nearby café when he tried to sell the fake medical certificates under the name Dr. MLA Modisane.
Kutoka was found with 38 blank medical certificates, a stamp, negative Covid-19 declaration forms, and various other fraudulent medical documents.
It was later established that Kutoka previously worked at the practice of Dr. Modisane in Daveyton.
Initially, one worker at Checkers, who had submitted eight fraudulent medical certificates to cover up for absenteeism, was picked up by the police.
The following day police arrested seven more Checkers’ employees for submitting 31 fraudulent medical certificates.
The suspects were all taken into custody at the Benoni Police Station.
They are scheduled to appear in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court.
The HPCSA cautioned the public against obtaining fraudulent medical certificates.
Medical certificates must be issued and signed by a medical practitioner or any other authorised medical professional.
