The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Tactical Response Unit has arrested a 50-year-old Pakistani national for allegedly impersonating a registered medical practitioner at a medical clinic in Midrand.
The arrest took place on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, following intelligence received by JMPD officers about suspicious activity at a medical clinic located on South Road.
Suspect found consulting patients
According to JMPD, officers proceeded to the clinic, where they found the female suspect actively consulting with two patients at the time of the inspection.
She was asked to produce documentation authorising her to practise medicine, including a valid Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) practice number. The suspect was unable to provide any proof of registration or professional accreditation.
Admission of practising without qualifications
During further questioning, the suspect reportedly admitted that she had not completed medical practitioner studies and did not possess the required qualifications or certificates to practise medicine.
She further told officers that she had been operating as a medical practitioner for more than ten years without valid documentation, raising serious concerns about patient safety and regulatory oversight.
Seizure of patient records and medical documents
JMPD officers seized six patient files from the consulting room. These included sick notes, prescription forms, completed eye screening certificates, and other medical stationery.
Officers also discovered PRDP certificates and documents bearing the names of different registered medical doctors, which were allegedly found in the suspect’s possession.
The materials were confiscated as evidence.
Charges laid
The suspect was arrested and charged with fraud and contravention of the Health Professions Act, which strictly prohibits anyone from practising as a healthcare professional without proper registration.
She is expected to appear in court soon.
Ongoing concern over bogus medical practitioners
The arrest follows repeated warnings from health authorities about the dangers posed by unqualified individuals posing as healthcare professionals.
Last year, IOL reported that the Gauteng Department of Health issued a public alert after a woman impersonating a medical doctor was apprehended at Tembisa Tertiary Hospital.
Provincial health department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba warned that such practices place lives at risk.
“Unqualified individuals posing as medical professionals put innocent lives at risk,” Modiba said.
“It is a criminal offence for any person to impersonate healthcare professionals and to practise while not registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.”
Authorities have urged members of the public to verify healthcare practitioners’ credentials and report any suspected cases of medical impersonation to law enforcement.
