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A prominent doctor from Mthatha was sentenced to an effective 10-years imprisonment following his conviction on charges of theft and fraud.
The 46-year-old Dr Chwayita Yako was sentenced this week in the Mthatha Regional court for fraud amounting to nearly R7 million.
A spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority Luxolo Tyali says in February of 2011 the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) approved a load facility of R75.6 million towards a project to build a 52-bed Private Hospital in Mthatha.
He says Dr Yako was supposed to contribute R4 million of his own money into the project through his company, Osteen Health Group (Pty) LTD, R2 million of which was to secure the property.
Tyali says the shareholder in the project, Copperzone, contributed R6.3 million in cash, therefore R10 million was supposed to be used for the business.
Dr Yako then diverted the funds to his private company, pretending to pay a service provider when in fact he was paying himself.
Eight months later Yako opened a bank account to which he was the sole signatory and responsible for all payments made from the account.
Tyali says the account was opened under the name Crossmed Mthatha Private Hospital which closely resembled the trading name of the hospital, Cross-Med Health Centre (PTY) Ltd.
Dr Yako pleaded not guilty during the trial.
The State, however, granted him leave to appeal both his conviction and sentence.
The NPA says the Asset Forfeiture Unite made an application to attach Dr Yako's properties and this application is scheduled to be heard in January next year.
