Taurai Prosper Vanhuvaone, the 29-year-old man who masqueraded as “Dr Prosper Mpofu,” found himself back in police custody on Monday morning, arrested once more at Mpilo Central Hospital – the very location where he allegedly perpetrated his fraudulent medical practice.
ZBC News reported that hospital authorities apprehended Vanhuvaone on the hospital grounds, in the company of some of his alleged victims. This arrest comes just a week after he was granted US$100 bail by Magistrate Nomagugu Maphosa, with conditions including residing at his given address, reporting to the police weekly, and refraining from contact with State witnesses.
Vanhuvaone faces three charges: two counts of fraud and one of misrepresentation. The first count involves contravening Section 121 of the Health Professions Act Chapter 27:19, specifically, practising medicine without registration or misrepresenting himself as a registered medical practitioner.
The second count alleges that on 17 August, at Mpilo Central Hospital, he falsely presented himself to Faith Hove as a registered doctor, providing treatment and charging her US$120. Hove’s suspicions were aroused when her condition failed to improve.
The third count accuses him of defrauding Samantha Ziki of US$1,600 between February 2023 and April 2024, convincing her he could secure her a place at Mpilo Central Hospital School of Nursing.
Mpilo Central Hospital’s chief medical officer, Dr Narcisius Dzvanga, expressed his astonishment at how Vanhuvaone managed to establish himself within the hospital, stating: “It is simply shocking how he managed to secure an office within the hospital, where he operated for so long. He was using the same room for all those months or years he was here. Someone gave him a desk and a chair, and he was taking patients from the queue at the out-patient department, charging them, and pocketing the money.”
He further explained that Vanhuvaone’s operation went unnoticed for a considerable period: “What has come to the fore is that he has been around for quite a while. I have been here for one-and-a-half years, and I never saw him. I hear he has been around the hospital for two years. I am told that even at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), he would pitch up and say he is in the Mpilo establishment and has been seconded to UBH for three months, so they would tolerate him.”
He highlighted Vanhuvaone’s exploitation of the inter-hospital staff transfer system to maintain his charade. However, Dr William Busumani, Chief Medical Officer at UBH, denied any knowledge of Vanhuvaone operating within their institution.
This revelation has left many Bulawayo residents speechless, particularly among those who knew Vanhuvaone from various gyms around Bulawayo. A gym instructor, speaking to Sunday News on condition of anonymity, described the shock of discovering Vanhuvaone’s alleged double life: “It was a shock to see that he was the fake doctor that everyone was raving about. Around 2020, he started doing a nurse aide course so we were now wondering how he had somehow managed to get qualifications as a doctor in such a short space of time. Everyone here did not know about him as a medical professional. I think this was his identity for those outside of the gymnasiums.”
This instructor also revealed a history of alleged theft, leading to Vanhuvaone’s expulsion from two gyms for stealing mobile phones and even a shirt.
“He was thrown out of Barberton and Dynamics because he allegedly stole people’s phones while they were working out. He is someone who was accused of taking another person’s shirt in the gym. In the beginning, I used to train him but after I realised that he was a suspected thief, I let him go. This is why it is not surprising for me that he did something like this because he is capable of doing anything,” the instructor stated.
The contrast between Vanhuvaone’s alleged activities and his past is striking. Those who knew him as a devout Salvation Army member express disbelief and shock at the allegations.
“Those who knew him from his earlier days are shocked because this is not the young man they knew growing up. We always thought of him as someone who would continue walking a righteous path,” said a church member.
Another gym instructor noted a recent change in Vanhuvaone’s behaviour, including increased alcohol consumption and the adoption of doctor-like habits such as wearing glasses, which he hadn’t done previously. The instructor also revealed that Vanhuvaone has a twin brother in Harare who is a legitimate medical doctor, suggesting a possible connection to his deception.
“We think he was using the fact that his brother is an actual doctor to convince people that he is also one. It is unfortunate because his brother, as far as we know, is someone who does things legitimately.”
Following his arrest, Vanhuvaone appeared in court a fortnight night ago, and represented himself himself in court. He boldly asserted his legal knowledge, citing constitutional rights and legal precedents in his argument for bail.
He also claimed to be the sole provider for his ailing mother and grandmother. Surprisingly, his arguments persuaded Magistrate Maphosa to grant him bail.
Following his re-arrest, Vanhuvaone is scheduled to return to court on October 7th.
