More than 30 robberies at private practices in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Free State have been reported to the SA Medical Association since mid-2020.
More than 30 robberies at private practices in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and the Free State have been reported to the SA Medical Association since mid-2020. File photo.Doctors in private practice are under siege by criminals who pose as patients and clear out their bank accounts, steal their devices and take medication including antiretrovirals and cough syrup.
In the most recent incident, former special adviser to the national health department and general practitioner Dr Esthras Tlou Moloko was attacked at his Germiston practice on the East Rand on Tuesday.Two men entered the practice, with one posing as a patient.Moloko tried to direct the gun away from him and at the robber.
“I thought I could squeeze the trigger but it seems the safety catch was on. All of a sudden I could feel I was getting smashed on my head and face which appeared to be with an iron rod. I was bleeding so much that the blood was flowing into my eyes.”“I'm back at the practice, if they return we will 'speak' once again,” said Moloko.
The SA Medical Association this week condemned escalating crimes against doctors, saying it has received reports of more than 30 robberies at private practices in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Free State since mid-2020. Sama vice-chair Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa said: “We believe they are thought of as having cash on the premises regardless of the speed-point machines which are more handy.”Dr Prudence Buthelezi, secretary-general of the National Health Care Professional Association, described the situation “as a national crisis”.