Archive · 4 Oct 2026
South African Man Charged Over Fake Medical Degree
Reshal Dayanand is accused of pretending to have a medical degree.
Police say he did not finish his medical studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
They allege that he used a fake transcript and degree certificate to register as a doctor.
He then allegedly worked as a medical intern at a hospital in 2016.
He has been charged with several offences, including fraud and forgery.
Dayanand was released on a warning after appearing in court.
His case is due back in court on November 19, 2026.
Reshal Dayanand, 39, faces charges including forgery and fraud over alleged fake medical credentials.
Authorities allege he used false academic records to register with South Africa’s Health Professions Council.
He allegedly worked as a medical intern at Northdale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg in 2016.
Dayanand attended the University of KwaZulu-Natal from 2007 to 2015 but did not complete his MBChB degree.
He was released on a warning, and the case was adjourned until November 19, 2026.
- Who
- Reshal Dayanand, a 39-year-old South African man of Indian descent, is charged.
- What
- He is accused of using forged academic credentials to register as a physician and work as a medical intern.
- When
- He allegedly worked as an intern in 2016; his case was adjourned until November 19, 2026.
- Where
- The alleged internship was at Northdale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; he appeared in Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court.
- Why
- Authorities allege he used a forged transcript and degree certificate despite not completing his medical degree.
Authorities' allegations
Accused's position
Use of medical credentials
Authorities' allegations
Authorities allege Dayanand and an unnamed university official forged a transcript and degree certificate, allowing him to register and work as an intern.
Accused's position
The article does not report Dayanand's response to the allegations.
- Age
- 39
- University attendance
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007–2015
- Degree
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), not completed
- Alleged internship
- Northdale Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, in 2016
- Charges
- Forgery, fraud, and alleged violations of the Health Professions Act and Electronic Communications and Transactions Act
- Court status
- Released on a warning
- Next court date
- November 19, 2026