Alleged bogus doctor caught in KaBokweni

A bogus healthcare practitioner has been reported to be unlawfully administering medication to locals in KaBokweni. In a bid to eradicate such practitioners, the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) discovered that Sonto Zikalala was allegedly selling medication and providing medical services to community members, while not being registered with the council.

Zikalala was arrested on Thursday August 25 and detained by the KaBokweni police.

A spokesperson for the HPCSA, Christopher Tsatsawane, said in a press statement that Zikalala was found operating under the name “Mphilo Health Shop” in KaBokweni.

“It was established that Zikalala was consulting with members of the public, diagnosing and prescribing medication to them, which they would purchase from her health shop. She was arrested for contravening the Health Professions Act and the Medicines and Related Substances Act,” Tsatsawane said.

The arrest was a joint operation between the SAPS, the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority.

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Tsatsawane said the council would continue to monitor and conduct inspections to prevent illegal medical operations.

“The council is committed to protecting the public and it encourages community members to continue to be vigilant of bogus practitioners, and to report them to the HPCSA, as this is a threat to the lives of the innocent public,” he said.

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The public is urged to check if a healthcare practitioner is registered by using the iRegister on the HPCSA website or calling the HPCSA line on 012 338 9100/1 to ensure that they are treated by registered healthcare practitioners.