Lack of evidence sets 'fake doctor' free
Innocent Selatlhwa | Tuesday May 30, 2023 06:00
This followed a trial, which involved allegations of impersonation in the medical field, concluded with the court finding insufficient evidence to prove the accused's guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The prosecution, represented by Attorney General, had assembled a list of seven witnesses to support its case. The trial focused on the events that occurred between May 19, 2020 and June 3, 2020 at Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital, Athlone Hospital and the Pioneer Border Post in Lobatse.
The charge against Carrim was that he falsely represented himself as a medical doctor employed by the Ministry of Health, deployed under COVID-19 operations in Lobatse.
The prosecution's case was built on the testimonies of witnesses, including Mercy Mesefu Diranyane and Orapeleng Orapeleng, who were employees of the Ministry of Health stationed at the Athlone Hospital. According to their testimonies, Carrim had introduced himself as a doctor and Orapeling facilitated movement permits for him.
It was also alleged that a sexual relationship had developed between Carrim and Diranyane, during which she believed him to be a medical doctor. The defence, presented by Carrim himself, challenged the prosecution's case. Carrim testified that he had visited Orapeleng's office to request a movement permit and mistakenly thought Diranyane was someone he bought animal feed from. They exchanged phone numbers and began a flirtatious communication that led to a sexual relationship.
On the day of his arrest, Carrim claimed he had gone to collect a debt from Tebogo Montsho, a driver at Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital and was confronted by security guards who informed him that the hospital management was looking for him. During the trial, it was revealed that there was no evidence of Carrim presenting himself as a medical officer at the Pioneer Border Post, despite being included in the charge sheet.
Additionally, the defence questioned the lack of proper verification procedures by the prosecution, highlighting the absence of the Human Resource Officers or Administration Officers from the Ministry of Health to testify about Carrim's employment records. In his judgement, the Principal Magistrate Gofaone Morweng emphasised that the prosecution had the burden of proving the accused's guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The magistrate noted that the evidence presented by the prosecution did not establish that Carrim had assumed any act or attended any place for the purpose of carrying out tasks associated with being a medical doctor. It was found that Carrim only represented himself as a medical doctor and wore a white coat and stethoscope without a clear purpose. Ultimately, the court concluded that the prosecution had failed to meet the required standard of proof, and as a result, Carrim was acquitted and discharged of the charge of personating a person employed in the public service.
“Orapeleng identified himself as a Chief Administration Officer at the Athlone Hospital and he merely testified that the accused person represented himself to him as a medical officer. This court enquired from him why he did not conduct due process to establish whether indeed he was a medical doctor and he carelessly responded that a lot was happening during the COVID -19 pandemic.
Furthermore, it is my view that the Human Resource Offices are the custodians of employee records. In the matter instant, there was no Human Resource Officer and/or an Administration Officer from Ministry of Health to testify to the employment record of the accused person,” Morweng said.