A speech therapist employed by the Department of Education and running a private practice, Lesiba Morgan Gololo, has been sentenced to pay a hefty fine of R150 000 or face eight years in prison for committing fraud and money laundering.
The Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court handed down the sentence after Gololo, 43, was found guilty of defrauding Bonitas Medical Aid Scheme. The charges against Gololo, which included three counts of fraud and one count of money laundering, stemmed from incidents that occurred between 2015 and 2016.
Court records reveal that Gololo deceived Bonitas by claiming he had consulted with patients and subsequently generating invoices that were processed electronically for payments. This unscrupulous act led to a financial loss of R27 700 for the medical aid scheme.
In a further investigation triggered by Bonitas' suspicions, the medical aid scheme enlisted the services of Qhubeka Forensic Services. Their thorough probe raised the alarm, leading to Gololo's arrest by the Hawks. The evidence presented in court illustrated a pattern of deceit, which the state advocate argued merited a stringent sentence without the option of a fine. Advocating for a strong punitive measure, the state noted the seriousness of Gololo's actions and the prevalence of similar offences within the jurisdiction.
"The persistent nature of his fraud, in which he continued to obtain payments for services he never rendered, exhibits a lack of remorse and integrity," it was stated during the sentencing hearing. "It is essential that we send a clear message to the community that such acts will not be tolerated." In an additional ruling, the court suspended the sentences for the two other counts of fraud and money laundering on the provision that Gololo refrains from any further offences, particularly related to fraud or theft, within a five-year period.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) expressed satisfaction with the outcome, viewing the sentence as a critical step in discouraging future fraudulent behaviour. Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, Advocate Ivy Thenga, stated, "We hope this ruling will reinforce the message that crime does not pay. We commend the diligent efforts of the state advocate and the entire team for their significant role in securing this conviction."
The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is currently reviewing Gololo's professional status, with the possibility of suspending or revoking his license to practice.
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