Dr Ganesh Anil Anirudha, who was on the run from investigating authorities for two weeks, was arrested at the George Mukhari Hospital near Pretoria yesterday by members of the elite Hawks unit of the police that deals with serious economic crimes.
Anirudha is accused of having submitted 319 false claims to the Workers' Compensation Fund that deals with injuries while on duty and also to the Bonitas Medical Fund, defrauding them of about half a million rands.
Bonitas spokesperson Christa van Dyk said Anirudha had allegedly defrauded the fund of almost R185,000 (USD 21,341) by submitting claims for services that he did not render.
Worker's Compensation Fund risk management deputy director Twana Makubela said Anirudha had allegedly submitted invoices for the same treatment twice, as well as claiming for services for medical services that were considered unnecessary.
The doctor was released on bail R20,000 and ordered to surrender his passport when he appeared in the Brits Magistrates' Court. He will appear in court again on February 21.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Paul Ramokolo said Anirudha would allegedly book off sick at George Mukhari Hospital and then go to work at private hospitals, where he practised as a gynaecologist while he was not qualified as one.