Fraud accused Dr Mokhua served with a warrant of arrest for a ‘no show’ in Court
Dr Patrick B. Mokhua (40) of Hartswater in the Northern Cape Province found guilty of defrauding the Department of Labour’s Compensation Fund (CF) of R479, 716.49 was today (April 29) served with a warrant of arrest by the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court for failing to turn up in Court.
Dr Mokhua, a general practitioner by profession is awaiting sentencing, and is out on a bail of R3000. Dr Mokhua was facing 17 charges of fraud.
It is not the first time Mokhua has not appeared in Court when he is expected, or chose to come late.
Prosecutor A. Mkutshwa had in the past warned the defence not to resort to delaying tactics on the matter.
It also emerged in Court today that the legal team representing Dr Mokhua had also withdrawn its services due to his non-payment of fees.
Dr Mokhua was last June found guilty by the Professional Conduct Committee of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) in Pretoria (Tshwane) for gross misconduct after admitting receiving “illegal” payments from the Department of Labour’s Compensation Fund. Mokhua was suspended for five years from running a private practice, but spared to work only in public hospitals.
He was fined R100 000, which had to be paid within six months.
The Council said the respondent had made an admission in writing.
The matter has been postponed until May 13.
The Compensation Fund is a public entity of the Department of Labour. The Fund provides cushion for workers injured during work or for contracting diseases at work.
Enquiries:
Mokgadi Pela
Acting Departmental Spokesman
Cell: 082 808 2168
