A young woman was arrested at St Andrew’s Hospital for posing as a medical student and will now face charges of impersonating a health professional.
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health Spokesperson Mr Ntokozo Maphisa said that the Department can confirm that management at St Andrews Hospital in Harding, Ugu District, acted swiftly after being alerted to an individual allegedly posing as a student medical doctor on the hospital premises.
“The hospital CEO contacted SAPS after the individual failed to answer basic questions regarding her alleged placement institution and duties. Hospital management and medical staff indicated that they did not know the individual,” said Maphisa.
The 21-year-old female, allegedly stole scrubs from a hospital in eThekwini before posing as a medical intern at St Andrews Hospital, allegedly identifying herself as ‘Doctor Mhlongo’.
According to the KZN Department of Health, the woman was apprehended before she had interacted with any patients.
“The Department can further confirm that the individual did not attend to or interact with any patients. As the matter is now before the courts, the Department will refrain from making further comment save to say we shall deal decisively with any individual who could potentially threaten the lives of our patients in our institutions,” concluded Maphisa.
According to Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, KZN spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, the 21-year-old accused appeared in the Harding Magistrates Court last week, on a charge of impersonating a health officer and the case was remanded to 18 June 2026, for further investigation.