A 38-year-old Congolese man, Jonathan Ilungwa Kulimba, has been arrested for allegedly masquerading as a qualified doctor at a clinic in Embalenhle, Mpumalanga. The shocking discovery was made during a routine compliance inspection by a Health Inspector on Wednesday, 12 June 2025, exposing Kulimba’s alleged months-long deception.
Kulimba was found in the middle of medical consultations at a practice located in Extension 07. When officials confronted him, he confessed to not being registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), a legal requirement for all medical practitioners in the country. Even more alarming, he had been operating under the name of a licensed doctor, whose identity is now part of an ongoing investigation.
Authorities seized several patient files, including recent medical records, as evidence. Kulimba was promptly taken into custody by Embalenhle SAPS and charged with contravening the Health Professions Act. Law enforcement and health authorities are now working together to determine how long he had been operating, how many patients he may have treated, and whether any lives were endangered.
His appearance in the Evander Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday left many stunned, especially as he was granted free bail pending further investigation. He is due to reappear in court on 17 July 2025. Meanwhile, officials are reviewing his asylum documents to assess their authenticity and to explore the possibility of additional charges related to immigration violations or identity fraud.
The case has sparked public concern over regulatory oversight and the safety of patients in under-resourced areas. The investigation remains active, and authorities urge anyone with information or who may have received treatment from Kulimba to come forward.
