Prosper Mpofu, whose real name is Taurai Prosper Vanhuvaone (29), was arrested again at Mpilo Central Hospital on Monday. According to ZBC News, hospital authorities reported that the alleged bogus doctor, currently out on bail, was found on the hospital grounds with some of his victims.
Vanhuvaone was granted bail last week, set at US$100 by magistrate Nomagugu Maphosa, under conditions that he must reside at his listed address, report to the police weekly, and not interfere with State witnesses.
He faces two charges of fraud and one of misrepresentation.
In the first case, Vanhuvaone is accused of violating Section 121 of the Health Professions Act, Chapter 27:19, which prohibits unregistered individuals from practicing as medical professionals or falsely representing themselves as such.
In the second charge, it is alleged that on August 17, at Mpilo Central Hospital, he falsely presented himself as a licensed doctor to a patient named Faith Hove.
Believing him, Hove paid US$120 for treatment, but her suspicions arose when her condition failed to improve.
The third charge claims that between February 2023 and April 2024, Vanhuvaone defrauded another victim, Samantha Ziki, out of US$1,600 by falsely promising to secure her a spot at Mpilo Central Hospital’s School of Nursing.
Vanhuvaone reportedly operated undetected for two years, even securing an office at Mpilo Hospital and attending to patients both there and at United Bulawayo Hospitals.
Mpilo Central Hospital’s chief medical officer, Narcisius Dzvanga, expressed shock at how Vanhuvaone was able to establish himself within the hospital. He emphasized that the incident endangered patients’ lives and tarnished the institution’s reputation.
Vanhuvaone is scheduled to appear in court again on October 7.
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