TSHIVHUYUNI (HA-MASHAMBA) – Community members, more especially pensioners, are warned not to fall victims to a fake doctor who target ill people at pay-points.

According to Mr Mashudu Mulovhedzi, Ward 9 councillor at Makhado Municipality, the fake doctor was first seen at a pay-point at Tshivhuyuni, Ha-Makulane in Ha-Hamashau on Monday of April 14, this month.

He was driving a white bakkie with a canopy.

Through the voice of two young black ladies, who worked as interpreters, the doctor told pensioners that he was a "medical doctor sent by the government to treat people, especially pensioners free of charge. After explaining their problems to him, the doctor gave them medication and demanded R150 in cash, claiming that their problem was too big, and therefore warrants payment," explained Mr Steven Mashau, one of the community members.

One of the pensioners, Mrs Muyanalo Mulovhedzi informed her children about her ordeal when she reached home. Unfortunately they were too late, as the "doctor" had already left when they reached the spot.

Other four pensioners, including Muofhe Maingwe, Tshinakaho Mulaudzi and other two unidentified pensioners also fell victim to the bogus doctor. The issue was raised in a community meeting held at Tshivhuyuni Primary School last Sunday. Traditional leader Makhuhu Andries Mashamba also attended the meeting.

Civic leader Thiba Mulaudzi said the community was being exploited because its members are supposed to walk more than five kilometres to get treatment at Ha-Mashamba Clinic. Mulaudzi said they doubted if the man was a real doctor. "When we visit private doctors, we normally pay R100. So people are just falling prey because they are in dire need of medical facilities. It has been a very long time since we tried to request for a clinic or a mobile one in our area. But the municipality tells us that it has no authority in this matter. So we are engaging Elim hospital to help us in this issue," said Mulaudzi.