Fraud in legal fraternity purely unexceptable

Aprominent Eastern Cape attorney made headlines across the country this week when he was arrested by the elite crime-fighting unit, the Hawks, on charges of fraud. Zuko Nonxuba, a wellknown and controversial figure in this province and in the Western Cape, stands accused of attempting to fleece the health department out of millions of rands. Allegations against the attorney first surfaced a few years ago.

The long arm of the law caught up with Nonxuba when the Hawks arrested him at a hotel in Mthatha on Wednesday evening.

He appeared at the local magistrate’s court on Thursday and was granted R80,000 bail. He was ordered to hand in his passport to authorities by next Friday.

Nonxuba was arrested for allegedly faking two medico-legal claims in Ngcobo and Mthatha.

He allegedly used the same modus operandi by claiming nurses were negligent when his clients gave birth at two state hospitals. He filed R30m lawsuits – R15m for each case.

The allegations against Nonxuba are very serious and his case is expected to generate a lot of public interest as it progresses through the justice system.

Judging by the commentary on social media, it appears the public are ready to play both judge and jury – already deciding on his guilt or innocence. The allegations against Nonxuba still have to be tested in a court of law and it will be premature to speculate.

However, the arrest is a welcome development and is one step in the right direction of fighting fraudulent medical claims that have been bedevilling the Eastern Cape and SA.

Government has to be held to account and pay whenever doctors and nurses are found to be negligent, but what about the outside forces whose actions severely hamper its ability to deliver effective services to the public?

More shakeups in the legal fraternity are expected, with the Hawks investigating several lawyers.

If any of these individuals are prosecuted and convicted, the Law Society of SA should decisively, and without fear, deal with those found on the wrong side of the law. It only takes a few bad apples to give the profession a bad reputation.

Government has to be held to account and pay whenever doctors and nurses are found to be negligent