Deadline set for lawyers who filed fraudulent health claims

POLOKWANE – Lawyers who filed fraudulent compensation claims against the Health Department have until this Saturday to withdraw their cases without facing consequences, according to Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi.

Failure to do so will result in charges by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

During a recent media briefing, Motsoaledi revealed that the SIU has identified 26 cases in Limpopo, amounting to over R657m. These cases include abuse and fraudulent medical negligence claims, some involving non-existent victims.

Motsoaledi highlighted that all 26 claimants were confirmed deceased, yet lawyers continued pursuing claims.

In one instance, the department discovered that R120 000 was paid into an attorney’s trust account, which the attorney had held since 2016.

The attorney eventually released the funds only after the SIU was authorised to investigate, doubling the amount to R240 000.

The provincial Health Department currently has 1 600 claims totalling R14b, including those under investigation.

In one case, Motsoaledi described a claim demanding R70m for a supposed botched circumcision in Limpopo.

Investigation revealed that no circumcision had occurred; instead, the patient had been treated for a severe genital infection.

The Black Lawyers Association in Limpopo had previously defended some lawyers, citing a lack of training in actuarial calculations.

Association provincial secretary Lerato Senyosi noted that a claim previously deemed inflated had been reduced by 90% to R800 000 in a Polokwane High Court ruling.

While acknowledging the complexities faced by claimants, Senyosi urged lawyers to adhere to ethical standards to avoid delays and ensure fairness.

Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego welcomed the move, stating it should help mitigate financial losses for the department.