Vusumuzi Dube
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
THE 29-year-old man from Upper Rangmore in Bulawayo who was arrested and charged with fraud after faking to be a doctor at Mpilo Hospital on Tuesday, swindled an unsuspecting woman of over US$200.
Prosper Mpofu was arrested on Tuesday at Mpilo Hospital after an alert nurse suspected foul play as she saw an anomaly on the patient who the fake doctor was swindling.
In a statement, Bulawayo police provincial spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said that on 17 August 2024, at around 11 a.m., a female adult aged 25 from Magwegwe, Bulawayo, called Mpofu for medical services after being referred to him by her friend.
“Mpofu agreed to the appointment and told her to go to Mpilo hospital and bring with her US$120 which she did. Prosper examined her, and wrote a prescription which included an injection. He then asked for money so that he could buy the medication on her behalf and she gave him US$100.
“Mpofu later came back with some medication and an injection which he administered to the patient. On the following day, the patient went back to Mpilo hospital where she paid a balance of US$20 to Mpofu and no receipts were provided on both occasions,” said Insp Ncube.
He said the patient’s condition did not improve and she advised Mpofu who told her to return on 17 September 2024 for review and again told her to bring more money as he wanted to change the type of medication.
“On 17 September 2024 at around 6:30 pm, the nurse who was on duty met the patient in the casualty ward and asked if she could help her. The patient then indicated that her medical cards were taken by the doctor.
“The nurse suspected a foul play as she saw an anomaly, and asked the patient to show her the doctor who took her medical cards. Some moments later the patient managed to identify the doctor and showed him to the nurse,” said Insp Ncube.
He said the nurse requested the patient’s cards from the fake doctor and that is when she observed that the prescription had inadequate information. Inspector Ncube said the nurse then interviewed Mpofu and he claimed to be working at United Bulawayo Hospital.
“United Bulawayo Hospital was contacted to confirm Prosper Mpofu’s credentials and they denied having any doctor by the name Prosper Mpofu. The nurse then reported the matter to police leading to his arrest
“Prosper Mpofu will appear in court soon. We commend the vigilance of the informant who saved the life not only of the patient in question but many who could fall for the same fraudster,” said Insp Ncube
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