A 41-year-old Limpopo pharmacist, Tinyiko Gift Mongolele, has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of R500 000 after being convicted on 18 counts of fraud by the Giyani Specialised Commercial Crime Court.
The Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) reportedly lost R91 873.07 as a result of his actions.
Mongolele, the director of ‘a Pharmacy’ in Malamulele, was arrested following an intensive investigation into fraudulent medical aid claims. The docket was assigned to Warrant Officer Choene Manaka, attached to the Provincial Commercial Crime Unit, for further investigation.
Provincial Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said that GEMS opened a case after detecting suspicious claims submitted under members’ details.
“Investigations revealed that the accused approached GEMS members and requested their medical aid information, promising them cash-back incentives or shoes in return.”
Ledwaba added that Mongolele further used the details of two medical doctors without their knowledge or consent to submit claims for medication requiring prescriptions. In some instances, members had never consulted the doctors concerned and were unaware that claims had been submitted on their behalf.
“As a result of the fraudulent activities committed between January 2018 and September 2018, GEMS suffered a total loss of R91 873.07,” he added.
The accused was arrested on May 12, 2025, and appeared before the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court on the same day, where he was granted bail of R5 000.
Ledwaba said that on February 17, 2026, Mongolele appeared before the Giyani Specialized Commercial Crime Court, where he was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of R500 000 for 18 counts of fraud.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo has welcomed the conviction and commended the Provincial Commercial Crime Unit for their thorough investigation and continued efforts to combat fraud and protect public funds.
The Star
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