MEDICAL AID FRAUDSTER APPEARS IN COURT

Photo: Mamello Kate Khabo

Supplied

By: Neo Ntsele

A 49-year-old accused, Mamello Kate Khabo was apprehended by the Hawks and made her first appearance before the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Tuesday 12, for medical aid related fraud. 

It was during August 2022 when Khabo allegedly booked one of her daughters at Busamed Private Hospital as she was ill. While completing the hospital admission documents she gave her other daughter's details who is registered as a beneficiary on her GEMS medical aid.

The actual daughter who she brought in to hospital was not registered on the medical aid.

The patient was then transferred to Bloemfontein Medi Clinic, where she died after two weeks. 

Only after the passing of her daughter and the death certificate was issued out with the other daughter's name that Khabo confessed to giving false details during her deceased daughter's admission at Busamed Private Hospital. 

A fraud case was registered and later referred to the Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation in Bloemfontein for further investigation. 

As a result of this committed fraud, GEMS medical aid was prejudiced and suffered a total loss of R438 674. 95.

An amount of R43 159. 95 was paid to Busamed Private Hospital and R395 515. 00 paid to Bloemfontein Medi Clinic. 

The Magistrate released Khabo on R2500.00 bail and the matter was postponed to 3 December for the trial date.