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A 38-year-old male suspect from the Democratic Republic of Congo has been arrested in Embalenhle for impersonating a medical doctor, in contravention of the Health Professions Act, 56 of 1974. The arrest took place on 12 June 2025 during a compliance inspection at a local medical practice.
At approximately 14:00, a Health Inspector conducted an unannounced visit to a surgery operating under the name of a registered medical practitioner at Extension 07 in Embalenhle. Upon arrival, the inspector observed a patient exiting the consultation room. On entering the room, the inspector found an adult male, later identified as Jonathan Ilungwa Kulimba, attending to patients.
When questioned, the man presented five patient files, one of which belonged to the patient who had just been seen. During the engagement, the suspect admitted to working under the supervision of the registered practice owner but also confessed that he is not registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
He was immediately arrested and detained at Embalenhle SAPS for practising as a healthcare professional without the necessary qualifications or registration. One of the patient files was seized as evidence to support the ongoing investigation.
Further enquiries are being conducted to determine the extent and duration of the illegal medical practice. Authorities are also probing the nature of the relationship between the suspect and the registered doctor, who allegedly allowed him to operate at the facility. Additionally, officials are verifying the authenticity of the suspect’s asylum documentation, which is currently under scrutiny.
The suspect appeared before the Evander Magistrate’s Court on 17 June 2025 and was released on free bail. He is scheduled to reappear on 17 July 2025, where additional charges may be brought against him depending on the outcome of the investigation.
The Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has commended the swift action of the Health Inspector and law enforcement officers.
“We urge members of the public to always verify the credentials of medical professionals before seeking consultation. Unqualified individuals operating illegally place lives at risk. SAPS remains committed to protecting communities from such unlawful and dangerous practices,” said Major General Mkhwanazi.
The case remains under investigation as police work to determine whether further regulations have been violated and if other individuals were complicit in enabling the suspect’s activities.
