Experts warn bogus doctors are growing harder to spot as arrests rise

The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has warned that bogus doctors are becoming more difficult to identify as fraudsters use increasingly sophisticated methods, and health authorities say verification weaknesses allow some to evade detection.

How fraudsters are operating

SAMA said fraudulent practitioners sometimes present forged qualifications, falsified registration documents, or assume the identities of legitimate practitioners. The association warned that when verification processes are inconsistent or inadequate, these individuals can remain undetected for long periods.

“Where verification processes are inadequate or inconsistently applied, these individuals may evade detection for extended periods,” SAMA said, adding that many patients do not routinely check credentials and instead rely on appearances, recommendations or the clinical setting.

Detection, arrests and regulatory response

According to The Citizen, between March 2024 and December 2025 more than 50 bogus practitioners were arrested. The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) acknowledged that weaknesses in verification processes contribute to the problem and said it continuously investigates allegations of illegal practice.

HPCSA spokesperson Priscilla Sekhonyana said bogus practitioners often exploit verification gaps and operate where routine checks are not consistently carried out. Detection, she said, frequently follows complaints, adverse incident reports, whistle-blowers or regulatory inspections.

The national Department of Health said it works closely with the HPCSA and law enforcement on public awareness and investigations. Department spokesperson Foster Mohale urged the public to anonymously report suspected bogus doctors to the HPCSA fraud hotline at 080-111-4945.

Calls for stronger verification and accountability

Visham Panday of the VP Justice Foundation said the organisation is campaigning for law enforcement to take stronger action because innocent people may be harmed before criminals are arrested. The Citizen reported Panday saying he is worried that people were injured by the time arrests occur.

SAMA said it supports efforts to strengthen verification systems, improve regulatory oversight and ensure those who engage in illegal practice are held accountable.

What the public should know

The coverage emphasised that routine checks and ongoing verification are important because some employers and patients do not always confirm a practitioner’s registration status. Authorities advised that detection often comes only after concerns are raised or inspections are carried out.

“Members of the public may not always be aware of the importance of verifying a practitioner’s registration status,” the HPCSA said.

Health authorities encouraged anyone with concerns about a practitioner’s credentials to report them via the HPCSA hotline.