A man who posed as a medical professional in Philippi has been handed a two-year prison sentence after being found guilty of multiple offenses, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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Rasheed Mahfouz was sentenced on Thursday for crimes including fraud, forgery, and corruption.
The charges stem from Mahfouz’s actions last year when he unlawfully issued medical certificates and provided medication using the credentials of a legitimate doctor. His deceit came to light in February 2023, leading to his arrest.
The case took a darker turn during Mahfouz’s bail hearing when he allegedly offered a court official money in an attempt to have the case docket destroyed, which resulted in an additional corruption charge being laid against him.
The Bellville Specialised Commercial Crimes Court convicted Mahfouz on 21 November, 2024. Western Cape Hawks spokesperson Siyabulela Vukubi confirmed that he was sentenced for offenses under the Health Professions Act and the Medicines and Related Substances Act, in addition to the fraud, forgery, and corruption charges.
This wasn’t Mahfouz’s first brush with the law. Back in 2020, he was found guilty of similar crimes and received a fine of R5 000 along with a five-year sentence, which was suspended under the condition that he refrain from committing similar offenses during that time.
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