- A Mthatha doctor was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for fraud.
- He used R2.32 million of the Cross-Med Health Care Group's bank account for his personal enrichment.
- The money was meant for the establishment of a 52-bed private hospital facility.
The Mthatha Regional Court sentenced a 46-year-old medical doctor to 10 years in jail on charges of theft and fraud, worth over R2 million.
Doctor Chwayita Ongama Yongama Yako, a qualified doctor practising in the District of Mthatha, on 31 July 2011 entered into an agreement with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), representing Cross-Med Health Group and MPA Management Services, in what was referred to as an Exclusive Agency Agreement.
"In February 2012, the IDC approved a loan of R75.68 million to Cross-Med Health Care Centre Pty Ltd for the establishment of a 52-bed private hospital facility in the Mthatha area, which is now operating as Mthatha Private Hospital," Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said.
According to the IDC loan agreement, Yako was to contribute R4 million to the project through his company, called Osteen Health Group Pty Ltd, half of which was to be allocated towards the construction of the hospital structure.
Yako opened a Cross-Med bank account, on behalf of the Cross-Med Health Group, with First National Bank - of which he was the sole signatory responsible for all payments made from this account.
Mgolodela added that the company, called Copperzone, was supposed to have been introduced to the IDC as a business partner with Yako’s company, but it never was.
The aforementioned company deposited more than R4.5 million into the Cross-Med bank account as a business partner for business-related matters.
Opened
"Yako used R2.32 million from the Cross-Med Health Care Group bank account for his personal enrichment. He further opened his private company bank account with a name similar to that of the Cross-Med Health Group business account by the name of Cross-Med Mthatha Private Hospital Pty Ltd, wherein he redirected funds from the Medical Aid schemes."
The complaint was lodged with the Mthatha Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in September 2013 for probing, which culminated in Yako's arrest on 28 November 2018.
He made his short appearance in the Mthatha Magistrate's Court on the same day, and was released on R10 000 bail.
After a series of court appearances, Yako was finally convicted by the Mthatha Regional Court on 3 August 2021.
Yako's sentencing started on 29 September 2021 and was finalised on 22 November 2021.
"For count one of theft, Yako was given eight years direct imprisonment. For count two of fraud, he was given 10 years direct imprisonment," the Hawks said.
Both sentences will run concurrently, meaning Yako will spend an effective 10 years in jail.