A 41-year-old Malamulele pharmacist has been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment or a R500,000 fine after being convicted on 18 counts of fraud linked to fraudulent medical aid claims.
Tinyiko Gift Mongolele was sentenced by the Giyani Specialised Commercial Crime Court following an investigation by the Provincial Commercial Crime Unit of the South African Police Service in Limpopo.
According to police, Mongolele, a director of a pharmacy in Malamulele, submitted fraudulent claims to the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) between January and September 2018.
Investigations revealed that he allegedly approached GEMS members and requested their medical aid details, promising cash-back incentives or shoes in return. He then used the personal information of two medical doctors, without their knowledge or consent, to submit claims for medication that required prescriptions.
In some cases, members had never consulted the doctors concerned and were unaware that claims had been processed in their names.
GEMS detected irregularities and opened a criminal case. The docket was assigned to Warrant Officer Choene Manaka for further investigation.
Police said the scheme suffered a total loss of R91,873.07 as a result of the fraudulent claims.
Mongolele was arrested on 12 May 2025 and appeared in the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court the same day, where he was granted R5,000 bail. On 17 February 2026, he was sentenced in the Giyani Specialised Commercial Crime Court.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo welcomed the conviction and commended the Provincial Commercial Crime Unit for its thorough investigation and continued efforts to combat fraud and safeguard public funds.