'Evidence of collusion' in dodgy medico-legal claims - Motsoaledi
President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the SIU to institute the investigations - following a spike in medical malpractice litigation against provincial health departments since 2015.
FILE: Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi. Picture: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG - The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has revealed it has found extensive corruption, fraud and maladministration related to medico-legal claims in the public healthcare sector.
This was unveiled on Saturday, at a media briefing by the SIU alongside the National Department of Health.
This after President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the SIU to institute the investigations - following a spike in medical malpractice litigation against provincial health departments since 2015.
The SIU found that a single law firm in the Eastern Cape submitted 44 suspected medico-claims worth almost R500 million.
Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi:
“Between 2010 and 2016, medico-legal claims increased from 46 to 529 in the Mthatha High Court alone. There is even evidence of collusion between attorneys, touts, unfortunately nurses and doctors in both public and private healthcare. In some instances, nurses stole the medical records and illegally handed them over to attorneys.”
The SIU has referred 45 cases involving attorneys to the National Prosecuting Authority in its ongoing multi-billion-rand investigation into medico-legal claims.
“The SIU has made 45 referrals of attorneys to the National Prosecuting Authority… for consideration of criminal charges related to fraud, theft, embezzlement of trust funds and insurance against certain legal firms. This includes Nonxuba Attorneys. The same attorneys were also referred to the Legal Practice Council.”