A N.Cape Doctor ‘pleads poverty’ after allegedly defrauding DoL’s Compensation Fund

The trial against Doctor Tebogo Ephraim Kealetsa (36) operating from Pampierstad Haitwater in the Northern Cape alleged to have defrauded the Department of Labour’s Compensation Fund was postponed in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court after he ‘pleaded poverty’.

Kealetsa alleged to have defrauded the Department’s Compensation Fund of about R680 000, is expected to appear on 28 February 2012. He is alleged to have defrauded the Fund, by submitting claim forms of patients whom he claims to have treated, whereas he did not.

He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud. Kealetsa is out on a bail of R5000.

It emerged in Court that the medical practitioner was previously running a private practice, but has since diverted into public practice.

His lawyer Samuel Molele told the Court that they were requesting a postponement of the trial, “because our client is no longer able to pay outstanding fees and on that basis the legal team was unable to prepare”.

Molele further submitted to the Court that invoices submitted by Dr Kealetsa to Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) were not paid, thus resulting in non-payment and cash problems.

“This behaviour should not be interpreted as a delaying tactic on the part of the accused. This is a first request of a postponement of its kind made by the legal team. We feel our client does not need to be prejudiced because of a lack of funds,” said Molele.

Magistrate Dawie Jacobs said the State would oblige and grant a postponement. Jacobs said in the interest of justice and proper legal representation, Kealetsa should be afforded an opportunity to have proper legal representation.

“The requested is not unreasonable seeing that your client had cash problems with medical aid funds. It is not from his inability to do his work, or from own negligence or fault that he find himself in the current situation,” said the Magistrate.

Kealetsa was arrested on 25 August 2010 after making two alleged “illegal” claims against the Department’s Compensation Fund. The Fund processed his claims in good faith only to discover that these were allegedly untoward.

The Compensation Fund is a public entity of the Department of Labour whose duty is to cover for compensation of workers injured during work or diseases sustained or contracted.

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Page Boikanyo
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