Fake Phillipi doctor, Rashid Mahfouz, has been sentenced to an effective two years imprisonment for fraud, forgery, contravention of the Health Professions Act, contravention of the Medicines and Related Substances Act and corruption.

Mahfouz appeared in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday where he was handed down a 2-year direct imprisonment sentence after pleading guilty to all the charges on Tuesday, 12 November.

The 66-year-old was arrested in February last year for practising illegally as a doctor without being registered as prescribed by the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974.

According to the Hawks, he issued sick notes and dispensed medication to unsuspecting patients, using the details of another registered doctor. Following his arrest, he then allegedly tried to persuade a court orderly at Phillipi Magistrates Court to destroy the case docket and offered an amount of money.

The alleged bribery attempt was made during his bail proceedings in March 2023. A corruption charge was consequently added, and the bail application was unsuccessful.

In 2020, Mahfouz was also convicted and sentenced, on the same charges. At the time, he was fined R5000 with a suspended 5-year sentence on condition that he does not commit similar offences again.

Following his recent conviction, the judicial process has invoked his previous suspended sentence of 5 years imprisonment for similar offences which will commence on 23 January 2025.

“[I] strongly condemned the acts of this nature as they pose danger to the community.” – The Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Western Cape, Major General Makgato

Makgato further urged the community members to report any suspicious activities of this nature to the relevant authorities.

READ MORE: Ramaphosa to address the nation amid rise in food poisoning cases