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Judgment date set for Mpilo fake doctor
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Bulawayo magistrate Mrs. Eva Matura has scheduled May 30 for delivering judgment in the case of Prosper Vanhuvaone, a 29-year-old man charged with fraud for allegedly impersonating a medical doctor at Mpilo Central Hospital.
Vanhuvaone faces charges under Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23, relating to misrepresentation, financial gain through deceit, and unauthorized professional practice. Prosecutors allege that, using the alias Prosper Mpofu, he operated illegally within Mpilo Central Hospital for nearly two years, attending to patients and prescribing medication. The charges also include similar activities at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).
During his final court submissions, Vanhuvaone denied all allegations, claiming that his former friends and girlfriends were motivated by envy and sought to see him imprisoned. He insisted he never administered injections or worked at Mpilo Hospital. However, his testimony was contradictory. While denying enrollment at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust), he claimed to have studied at a South African institution called Medusa but failed to provide any supporting documentation when asked.
The case drew considerable public attention following Vanhuvaone's arrest last year. He appealed two fraud convictions, arguing that police had misled him into believing a guilty plea would lead to a non-custodial sentence. Although initially granted bail, Vanhuvaone was later re-arrested after the State revoked it following his convictions.
Among the State's witnesses was Ms. Samantha Ziki, a former girlfriend who testified that Vanhuvaone defrauded her of US$1,600 by falsely promising to secure her admission to Mpilo's School of Nursing. Vanhuvaone dismissed her testimony in court, accusing her of being a "bitter ex-girlfriend" seeking revenge and denied any wrongdoing.
State prosecutor Mr. Samuel Mpofu outlined a timeline of deceit, revealing that on September 16, 2023, Vanhuvaone attended to patients at Mpilo Central Hospital under false pretenses. One patient, Miss Hove, grew suspicious after her condition failed to improve, triggering an investigation that led to Vanhuvaone's arrest.
Internal probes at Mpilo uncovered that Vanhuvaone had somehow secured office space within the hospital and practised without detection by management or health authorities, raising serious concerns about the hospital's internal control systems.
Mpilo's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Narcisius Dzvanga, testified that Vanhuvaone was recorded as an outsider in hospital records and that his presence only came to light following the arrest. Dr. Dzvanga's testimony shed light on how Vanhuvaone managed to infiltrate the hospital, set up an office, and operate undetected for an extended period. Vanhuvaone declined to cross-examine Dr. Dzvanga, stating he had no questions.
The court's verdict on Vanhuvaone's fate is expected on May 30.
Vanhuvaone faces charges under Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23, relating to misrepresentation, financial gain through deceit, and unauthorized professional practice. Prosecutors allege that, using the alias Prosper Mpofu, he operated illegally within Mpilo Central Hospital for nearly two years, attending to patients and prescribing medication. The charges also include similar activities at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).
During his final court submissions, Vanhuvaone denied all allegations, claiming that his former friends and girlfriends were motivated by envy and sought to see him imprisoned. He insisted he never administered injections or worked at Mpilo Hospital. However, his testimony was contradictory. While denying enrollment at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust), he claimed to have studied at a South African institution called Medusa but failed to provide any supporting documentation when asked.
The case drew considerable public attention following Vanhuvaone's arrest last year. He appealed two fraud convictions, arguing that police had misled him into believing a guilty plea would lead to a non-custodial sentence. Although initially granted bail, Vanhuvaone was later re-arrested after the State revoked it following his convictions.
Among the State's witnesses was Ms. Samantha Ziki, a former girlfriend who testified that Vanhuvaone defrauded her of US$1,600 by falsely promising to secure her admission to Mpilo's School of Nursing. Vanhuvaone dismissed her testimony in court, accusing her of being a "bitter ex-girlfriend" seeking revenge and denied any wrongdoing.
State prosecutor Mr. Samuel Mpofu outlined a timeline of deceit, revealing that on September 16, 2023, Vanhuvaone attended to patients at Mpilo Central Hospital under false pretenses. One patient, Miss Hove, grew suspicious after her condition failed to improve, triggering an investigation that led to Vanhuvaone's arrest.
Internal probes at Mpilo uncovered that Vanhuvaone had somehow secured office space within the hospital and practised without detection by management or health authorities, raising serious concerns about the hospital's internal control systems.
Mpilo's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Narcisius Dzvanga, testified that Vanhuvaone was recorded as an outsider in hospital records and that his presence only came to light following the arrest. Dr. Dzvanga's testimony shed light on how Vanhuvaone managed to infiltrate the hospital, set up an office, and operate undetected for an extended period. Vanhuvaone declined to cross-examine Dr. Dzvanga, stating he had no questions.
The court's verdict on Vanhuvaone's fate is expected on May 30.
Source - newsday
