The Eastern Cape Health Department has welcomed the disbarring of a lawyer who had submitted 44 medico-legal claims amount to R497 million rand, between 2012 and 2017.
Department spokesperson, Mkhululi Ndamase, said Zuko Nonxuba was struck off the roll by the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday.
He said this was after years of allegedly submitting fraudulent medico-legal claims and keeping the lion’s share of settlements meant for his cerebral palsy clients.
Ndamase said the Eastern Cape government had played a supporting role and assisted the Legal Practice Council with evidence in the matter, leading Nonxuba being struck off the roll.
In September, the Health Minister announced that between 2012 and 2017, Zuko Nonxuba Attorneys had submitted 44 medico-legal claims amounting to R497-million against the Eastern Cape Department of Health.
He said the SIU launched an investigation into medico-legal claims after the National Health Council raised alarm about the number of claims, paving the way for the President to sign proclamation R74 of 2022 authorising the SIU to investigate.
Ndamase said the Eastern Cape is also pursuing a criminal case against Nonxuba, which is being heard in the East London Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
Health MEC Ntandokazi Capa welcomed the decision, saying it was an early Christmas present.
“This is a victory, not only for the department and government, but for all the innocent children he shamelessly robbed.
Now that he has been found to have engaged in widespread theft by the Western Cape High Court, we are hopeful that he will also be criminally charged and prosecuted accordingly.
“We welcome the Western Cape High Court decision. This is the perfect early Christmas present,” she said.
