An East London doctor accused of selling sick notes to medically fit patients appeared in the local Magistrate's court on Monday.
Sixty-nine-year-old Dr Siphokazi Sokupa, who was arrested during an undercover investigation by the Hawks in May 2020, is disputing video footage presented against her by Colonel Raymond Buys, who approved the sting operation.
Shortly after the sting operation, Sokupa was arrested and subsequently released on bail of R3 000.
The case is now a "trial-within-a-trial" as the doctor is arguing through her legal attorney that the sting operation by the Hawks violated her constitutional rights using entrapment.
The video footage allegedly shows the doctor issuing two sick notes, on two separate occasions, to an undercover agent, without medically examining him.
Dr Sokupa's defence attorney, Phumelele Hole, says the undercover investigation against her was unlawful, and infringed on her right to a fair trial, as she was presented with an opportunity to commit an offence.
The accused was investigated after employers from numerous companies complained about sick notes issued by her.
Dr Sokupa, who was supported in court by four elderly women, will be back in the dock on Tuesday.
She has several fraud cases against her and in 2020 when she was granted bail, she was ordered to hand in her passport and is not allowed to leave the East London Magisterial area.
Her bail has been extended.
