Online Reporter
Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
PROSPER Vanhuvaone, the man accused of posing as a medical doctor in Bulawayo, heaved a temporary sigh of relief last Friday after the passing of his judgment was withheld until Tuesday.
The judgment was postponed after the State, through the magistrate, failed to meet its time frame in delivering.
The State noted that it had failed to find time to deliberate on the verdict, as he is facing multiple counts.
Vanhuvaone’s case has gripped the attention of the local media and the Bulawayo community, raising serious questions about the integrity of the medical profession and the safety of patients.
Vanhuvaone is facing charges related to practicing medicine without the necessary qualifications and registration.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution presented evidence alleging that Vanhuvaone treated patients, prescribed medication, and even performed medical procedures while lacking the proper credentials.
Vanhuvaone is being charged with fraud as defined in Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23. The charges relate to misrepresentation, financial gain through deceit, and unauthorised practice in a professional field.
Vanhuvaone, who used the alias Prosper Mpofu, is accused of operating illegally from within Mpilo Central Hospital for nearly two years.
He allegedly attended to patients, prescribed drugs, and even extended his fraudulent activities to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).
Vanhuvaone made his final submissions in court, where he denied any wrongdoing, accusing his former friends and girlfriends of being bitter about his “success”.
He claimed that he never administered any injection to anyone, and that it’s all a ploy by his so-called friends who wish to see him imprisoned.
Vanhuvaone also claimed that he never operated at Mpilo Hospital.
As part of his defence, Vanhuvaone claimed that he was not a student at the National University of Science and Technology, but rather had studied at a South African institution called Medusa.
However, when pressed for any documentation to validate his claims, he was unable to provide any evidence.
During his trial, Vanhuvaone appealed against a conviction on two counts of fraud, arguing that he was misled by police officers into believing a guilty plea would result in a non-custodial sentence.
Initially granted bail, Vanhuvaone was re-arrested after the State revoked his bail following the conviction.
Among the State witnesses is Ms Samantha Ziki, a former girlfriend who claims Vanhuvaone swindled her out of US$1 600 in a scam promising her a place at Mpilo’s School of Nursing.
In court, Vanhuvaone accused Ms Ziki of being a “bitter ex-girlfriend” bent on revenge. He claimed he contributed to part of the money and denied the fraud allegations.
The State, represented by Mr Samuel Mpofu, laid out an alleged timeline of deceit. On 16 September 2023, Vanhuvaone allegedly attended to patients at Mpilo Central Hospital under the guise of being a qualified doctor.
In one case, one Miss Hove sought medical help from Vanhuvaone, only to discover she had been duped after her condition failed to improve, prompting investigations and his subsequent arrest.
Internal investigations at Mpilo Central Hospital revealed that Vanhuvaone had somehow secured office space within the facility and operated under the radar of management and health authorities.
The scandal has raised serious concerns about internal controls at public hospitals.
The court subpoenaed Mpilo Central Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr Narcisius Dzvanga, who told the court that Vanhuvaone is an alien, according to hospital records, adding that he only became aware of his presence following his arrest last year.
Dr Dzvanga’s testimony was meant to shed light on how Vanhuvaone infiltrated the hospital system, set up an office, and practiced undetected for an extended period.
During the trial, Vanhuvaone opted not to cross-examine Dr Dzvanga, saying he had no questions for him.
