LIMPOPO- The three suspects, Ramokatse Joel Mokonoto (61), Paulos Maseka (63) and Gezani John Baloyi (55) were found guilty of defrauding Bonitas Medical Aid Scheme of R1 342 368-14.
Between 1997 and 1999, the accused worked as medical technologists and ran medical tests referred to by doctors.
“During this period, the accused defrauded the medical aid scheme by submitting the claim forms of the tests which were never conducted,” says Hawks provincial spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke.
As the investigation progressed, it was revealed that accused number two (Paulos Maseka) and accused number three (Gezani John Baloyi) never had a registered laboratory.
The accused were sentenced as follows:
Mokonoto was found guilty on 684 counts of fraud and sentenced to nine years imprisonment and Maseka and Baloyi were both found guilty on 764 counts of fraud and were sentenced to ten years imprisonment respectively.
The acting Provincial Head Brigadier Thabo Ramela lauded the investigation team that worked on the case for its tireless efforts.
“This is a clear indication that we have got determined and assiduous investigators who, no matter how long the investigation may take, always make sure that justice prevails,” he said.