Reshal Dayanand, a KwaZulu-Natal man, briefly appeared in court on Wednesday, facing charges of fraud, forgery, and contravening the Health Professions Act and Electronic Communications and Transactions Act. According to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, Dayanand studied at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) between 2007 and 2015. He was accused of using a fraudulent MBChB degree to register as a doctor.
Dayanand was academically excluded during the year 2013 due to poor performance and was re-admitted in 2015 through the Dean's discretion. However, he did not finish his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree as there was one module that he did not pass. Despite failing one module, Dayanand allegedly managed to fraudulently register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to be enrolled as a doctor.
As a result of his fraudulent registration, Dayanand was placed as an intern doctor at Northdale Hospital, Pietermaritzburg in 2016. During his tenure, Dayanand earned a total amount of R637,087.75. The police alleged that Dayanand connived with an unknown UKZN official and generated a fraudulent academic record that indicated he passed all the required modules, whereas he did not.
The Hawks further alleged that Dayanand did not attend a graduation ceremony, but a fraudulent MBChB degree certificate was nevertheless generated, certifying him as a qualified doctor. The matter was subsequently reported to the Hawks in Durban, prompting an investigation conducted with guidance from prosecutors. Relevant stakeholders were consulted, and they confirmed that his conduct was unlawful and fraudulent.
According to the police, the investigation established that Dayanand did not meet the requirements for the MBChB degree prescribed by UKZN. Hence, he was criminally charged and appeared before court. The Hawks said that the investigation was thorough and that Dayanand's actions were in contravention of several laws.
Dayanand was released on warning following his court appearance. The matter has been postponed to November 19. The case highlights the importance of verifying academic credentials, particularly in the medical profession, where public trust and safety are paramount.
The Hawks' investigation and subsequent charges against Dayanand demonstrate the authorities' commitment to combating fraudulent activities, particularly in the healthcare sector. The case also underscores the need for institutions to implement robust verification processes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Key points
- Dayanand allegedly earned R637,087.75 as an intern doctor at Northdale Hospital.
- Dayanand was accused of using a fraudulent MBChB degree to register as a doctor.
- The matter has been postponed to November 19.
