The trial of a woman charged with fraud for lying about her qualifications as a radiographer is expected to start in the Commercial Crimes Court in Port Elizabeth today.
The 25-year-old Asisipho Mbekela allegedly worked at several hospitals after misrepresenting herself to the department of Health by falsely indicating that she had obtained the necessary qualification.
The Eastern Cape Health Department offered her a job on a contractual basis in 2015 for the period 1 January-31st December 2016. She arranged with the Department to begin with her employment on the 1st of March 2016. When the department realised that she did not have the necessary qualifications they dismissed her on the 20th of September.
According to the indictment, Mbekela made misrepresentations to the Department of Health and falsely indicated on her Z83 application form that she had obtained a qualification "Radiography Nuclear Med" at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 2015.
However, the State alleges that Mbekela lied about her qualification and failed dismally, only passing one of her four subjects during her final examination.
According to the State, she obtained the following results:
Radiographic Practice 35%,
Clinical Radio-graphic Practice 50%,
Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation 25%
Radio-pharmacy 32%
In order to pass a subject, a student must obtain a mark of at least 50% or more. A student who obtains less than a sub-minimum of 40% shall not be allowed to write a supplementary examination. The National Diploma in Radiography: Nuclear Medicine, is a minimum requirement for registration in radiography.
During Mbekela's last appearance the State indicated that more charges could be added as Mbekela allegedly worked at other hospitals in the Western Cape and North Gauteng.
