'Groceries on prescription'

2008-07-03 21:09

Groblersdal - A fraud and theft case involving a doctor and pharmacist was postponed in Groblersdal Regional Court on Thursday, said Mpumalanga police.

"The pharmacist, Obed Motlamme, 36, and Dr Dovhani Ravengani, 45, were also denied bail," said Captain Leonard Hlathi.

They were arrested on Wednesday after allegedly being involved in an illegal money-making scheme, from which they benefited by millions of rands.

He said the pharmacist had sold groceries from five pharmacies which he owned, while the woman doctor issued bogus prescriptions to clients to get groceries instead of medicine.

Seized assets worth R4m

Hlathi said the scam targeted government employees who had medical cover, and some of the clients allegedly were charged for consultations and prescriptions on a monthly basis, without their knowledge that this was happening.

"Police raided both their homes on Wednesday and seized assets worth R4m.

"Four other employees working in the pharmacy were also arrested as they were found to be working in the pharmacy without qualifications."

The pharmacist was also charged for the possession of an unlawful firearm.

He said that their accounts and bank accounts had been frozen.

The case was postponed to Monday.

- SAPA