A medical doctor operating in Mbizana has been arrested and accused of fraud relating to R18 million in claims made against the Road Accident Fund (RAF).
A spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Mthatha Luxolo Tyali says the 42-year-old Dr Zonke Mrenqwa-Mazwi made her first court appearance on Wednesday and was granted bail of R10 000.
He says it is alleged that the Doctor submitted false Statutory Medical Reports (SMR) on behalf of claimants involved in at least nine vehicle accidents in Mbizana, Flagstaff and Port Shepstone areas dating back to 2008.
Tyali says when claimants lodge a claim against the RAF an SMR must be completed on a prescribed form by a medical practitioner who treated the deceased or injured persons.
He says Dr Mrenqwa-Mazwi allegedly supplied false information to attorneys, claiming on behalf of victims stating that she was the first medical practitioner to have treated the injured.
Tyali says as a result of her alleged actions, attorneys prepared and submitted fraudulent claims.
An investigation from the RAF revealed that the Doctor backdated the SMR's and had never seen, examined or treated any of the claimants.
The RAF then referred the matter to the Hawks which led to her arrest.
RAF had already paid out R510 000 to claimants, however, if the doctor's alleged scam had not been uncovered another 179 claimants would have been paid a total amount of R18.5 million.
The case was postponed to the 28th of March for a trial date to be set.
