For the Pinetown based companies - Sick Leave/Dodgy Doctor

[roryf]

We have had a run of sick leave at work and I have been concerned about the increased rate. I started investigating on Friday and after a short drive past Dr. SB Memela’s practice (Practice number 2012044) in Clermont I realised the problem.




I have interviewed a number of my staff and the findings are that one can pay for a medical certificate, the more one pays, the more days off one gets. To give you an idea:

1 day = R50
2 days = R60
3 days = R90

I have had 4 staff admit to this. I have also reported this to the HPCSA and will see if anything happens. I tried doing a search on the Board of Health Funders but the practice number and Dr SB Memela didn’t show up.

I now have 6 hearing to do on Thursday….Can’t wait….

I am sure there are many operators like this in SA.

[HR Solutions]

Eish .... Good for you for some investigative work

[sterne.law@gmail.com]

Unfortuntaly anyone can make a sick note with a computer.
Some doctors are complicit but many of the fakes are merely those who make a certificate based on an actual doctor.
As a rule I call the practice and confirm that the patient was actually there. Checking the actual practice details is available online. Ill post the link tomorrow.

[Tech]

Unfortuntaly anyone can make a sick note with a computer.
Some doctors are complicit but many of the fakes are merely those who make a certificate based on an actual doctor.
As a rule I call the practice and confirm that the patient was actually there. Checking the actual practice details is available online. Ill post the link tomorrow.

Hello Sterne.law, do you possibly have a link in which I can check a practice details as I am having almost the same issue with staff at the moment.

Many thanks

Tech

[roryf]

Just a quick update:
The HPCSA Investigators arrived today and have interviewed my staff and went to see the doctor himself.The doctor was not in - suprise,suprise! The HPCSA has agreed that the good doctor is not registered and that the HPCSA will be going ahead with criminal charges against him.

[Entropy Group]

Great outcome. Well done!

[roryf]

The investigator was here again yesterday and opened a criminal case against the 'Doctor'.He should hopefully be arrested within the week.The investigator said that they would probably try and charge my ex-staff with fraud too.

Good to see that some thing is happening.

[Bones2e]

Hey Ho, Memela rides again. I have checked the following to no avail:

1. South African Medical Association
2. Companies and Intellectual Property Commission
3. Board of Health Funders
4. South African Association of Herbal Practitioners
5. Traditional Healers Association

All of which return that he is a not a member. We are in the process of hearings. His details are being distributed at shopping centres and taxi ranks in Pinetown.

Common defence, they have no means of checking validity of sick notes and practitioners, therefore not guilty of anything.

Having fun

[roryf]

If you need help I have the case number and the contact details of the lady at HPCSA.I managed to get some of my guys to admit to knowing that he was not a proper doctor.Only because of the admissions could I bomb them.

[Entropy Group]

I do believe you have a case against your employees based on the fraudulent transacting with you. This would have to be done procedurally correct, or it may "bomb" on you. (I am based in Pinetown and would be happy to assist).