Eastern Cape attorney summoned over alleged R26m fraudulent claim against health department - IOL

Hawks summon Eastern Cape attorney over alleged forged medical-negligence claims.

An attorney and his law firm have been summoned to appear in court over allegations of fraud involving medical negligence claims worth approximately R26 million against the Eastern Cape Department of Health.

The 48-year-old attorney and his incorporated law firm were served with summons by the Hawks on Wednesday, following an investigation into alleged fraudulent civil claims involving a woman and her minor child.

Hawks spokesperson Captain Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said the investigation was initiated after information obtained during an investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) was referred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.

According to Mhlakuvana, between October 27, 2017, and November 30, 2018, the attorney allegedly misrepresented to the provincial department that his law firm had been instructed by a woman to institute civil claims on behalf of herself and her child.

However, investigators discovered that neither the woman nor her child had authorised the law firm to pursue the proceedings.

The investigation further uncovered the alleged use of a forged power of attorney to institute substantial civil claims without the knowledge or consent of the purported claimants.

The Hawks said the disputed claims comprised R24 million allegedly claimed on behalf of the woman and a further R1.5 million on behalf of her minor child.

The combined value of the claims amounted to R25.5 million.

The Eastern Cape Department of Health allegedly suffered quantified financial prejudice exceeding R363,000, while the potential financial prejudice was estimated at approximately R26 million.

The Hawks confirmed that the attorney and his law firm were served with summons on November 11, 2026.

They have been instructed to appear before the Zwelitsha Magistrates' Court on November 26, 2026.