Taurai Prosper Vanhuvaone, a 29-year-old man from Bulawayo, who was arrested recently after allegedly posing as a doctor at Mpilo Central Hospital has been granted bail by magistrate Nomagugu Maphosa.
As reported by Chronicle, Vanhuvaone was released on US$100 bail with conditions to reside at his given address, report to the police weekly, and not interfere with State witnesses.
Vanhuvaone, who misrepresented himself as “Prosper Mpofu,” is facing two counts of fraud and one of misrepresentation.
On the first count, Vanhuvaone is being charged for allegedly contravening Section 121 of the Health Professions Act Chapter 27:19 (unregistered persons practising as registered or representing themselves to be medical practitioners).
For the second count, Vanhuvaone is facing charges of fraud. It is alleged that on August 17 at Mpilo Central Hospital, he misrepresented himself to Faith Hove as a registered medical doctor capable of providing treatment.
Due to this misrepresentation, Hove agreed to receive treatment and was charged US$120 for services rendered. She grew suspicious when her condition failed to improve.
On the third count, the State alleges that between February 2023 and April 2024, Vanhuvaone defrauded another victim, Samantha Ziki, of US$1,600.
He convinced her that he was a medical practitioner with the influence to secure her a place at Mpilo Central Hospital School of Nursing.
Vanhuvaone operated undetected for two years, even securing an office at Mpilo Hospital and attending to patients there and at United Bulawayo Hospitals.
Mpilo Central Hospital’s chief medical officer, Narcisius Dzvanga, said it was shocking how Vanhuvaone managed to get himself an office where he operated from.
Dzvanga said as an institution, they regretted the incident, noting that it put the lives of patients at risk and the reputation of the institution at stake.
Vanhuvaone is scheduled to return to court on October 7.
More: Pindula News