A 39-year-old man from KwaZulu-Natal, Reshal Dayanand, has appeared in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court 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, also known as the Hawks, Dayanand allegedly used a fraudulent MBChB degree and academic record to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and work as an intern doctor.
The Hawks claim that Dayanand studied at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) between 2007 and 2015 but was academically excluded in 2013 due to poor performance. He was re-admitted in 2015 through the Dean's discretion but did not complete his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree, failing one module. Despite this, Dayanand allegedly managed to register with the HPCSA and was placed as an intern doctor at Northdale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg in 2016.
During his tenure as an intern doctor, Dayanand earned a total amount of R637,087.75. To cover his tracks, he allegedly conspired with an unknown UKZN official to generate a fraudulent academic record indicating that he had passed all required modules. The Hawks also allege that a fraudulent MBChB degree certificate was generated, certifying Dayanand as a qualified doctor, although he did not attend a graduation ceremony.
The matter was reported to the Hawks in Durban, prompting an investigation conducted with guidance from prosecutors. Relevant stakeholders were consulted, confirming that Dayanand's conduct was unlawful and fraudulent. The investigation established that Dayanand did not meet the requirements for the MBChB degree prescribed by UKZN, leading to his criminal charges.
Dayanand was released on warning following his court appearance and the matter has been postponed to November 19. The case highlights the efforts of the Hawks and other authorities to combat fraud and protect the integrity of the healthcare profession in South Africa.
The HPCSA and UKZN are likely to face scrutiny for their roles in verifying Dayanand's qualifications and allowing him to register as a doctor. The incident raises questions about the robustness of their verification processes and the potential consequences for patients and the broader healthcare system.
The case also underscores the importance of vigilance in detecting and preventing healthcare-related crimes. Authorities must ensure that only qualified professionals are allowed to practice medicine, and that the public can trust the authenticity of medical qualifications.
Key points
- Reshal Dayanand faces charges of fraud, forgery, and contravening the Health Professions Act and Electronic Communications and Transactions Act.
- Dayanand allegedly earned R637,087.75 as an intern doctor at Northdale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg.
- The matter has been postponed to November 19, with Dayanand released on warning.
