Fake doctor claims to be mentally ill
Pini Bothoko | Thursday July 13, 2017 16:11
On his last month appearance before Extension II Magistrate Ntombizodwa Ncube, Dithebe also stunned the court by announcing his interest in pursuing studies in medicine. Then, Dithebe pleaded with the court to be lenient when passing the sentence because he pleaded guilty to the offence, showed remorse and he was a first offender.
Ncube listened with keen interest as Dithebe claimed that for more than three months whilst in prison he had not been taking his medication, hence fearing complications.
“I have a mental condition and on medication, but it’s been almost two months without taking medication. I fear complications because for the entire period that I have not been taking my medication, I have been experiencing heartbeat abnormalities,” Dithebe said. He went on to claim that in May he was scheduled to see a heart specialist at Moshupa clinic, but to date he has not received response, something that worried him.
His claims shocked the prosecution who were not aware of the alleged condition as they said it was news to them. Ncube then instructed Moshupa prison officials to make sure that Dithebe received immediate medical attention. Earlier this year in April, Dithebe was convicted of stealing a Samsung S6 edge valued at P11,000 belonging to a Metropolitan Life insurance sales consultant, Koziba Mpedi at Princess Marina Hospital (PMH) after claiming to be a doctor.
Dithebe had forged a PMH doctor’s identity card with his picture under the names of Dr Karabo Jackson. Dithebe then lured Mpedi to PMH claiming that he was going to sign up for an insurance policy before fleeing with his (Mpedi) phone after asking to use it to make a call.
It has since emerged that more cases of similar offences have been registered before the police as more people were coming forth to report to have once been tricked by Dithebe. Even though it was proved in court that Dithebe does not have previous convictions, last November he appeared before court for a similar offence in which he was given a suspended sentence.