Employees taking sick leave without valid proof of illness or submitting fake documents has become increasingly common.
Section 23 of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act 1997 states that an employee absent for more than two days due to illness must provide a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner.

What is a Medical Certificate?
A registered medical practitioner issues a medical certificate (sick note). It confirms the employee has seen a certified professional trained to diagnose illness and registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), as outlined in the Health Professions Act 1974.
Professionals authorised to issue medical certificates, as per Section 17 of the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974, include:
- Doctors registered with the HPCSA.
- Dentists registered with the HPCSA.
- Psychologists with a master’s degree in educational, counselling, or clinical psychology, registered with the HPCSA.

May Employers Accept Clinic Cards or Certificates from Traditional Healers?
This depends on your company’s policies.
- Clinic Cards:
Signed by nurse practitioners who are not authorised to issue medical certificates. These cards often need more critical details, such as the dates the employee was unwell or when they are expected to return. They are generally not accepted. - Traditional Healer Certificates:
Certificates are valid only if the healer is registered with the Traditional Healers Practitioners Council, as established under the Traditional Healers Council Act 2007. Unregistered certificates are not valid.
What is a Fake Medical Certificate?
A fake medical certificate is usually bought from a third party and contains fraudulent or altered details. Employers should check for the following:
- Does the doctor’s location align with the employee’s details?
- Do the stamp details (e.g., practice number and contact information) match the letterhead?
- Is the doctor’s contact number active? Does someone answer when you call?
- Does the PR or practice number belong to the doctor listed?
- Are there signs of tampering? Doctors typically do not amend dates. If changes are needed, they will issue a new certificate or sign next to any corrections.
- Do the abbreviations or credentials match recognised medical qualifications?
- Are the dates accurate? Look out for:
- Non-existent dates (e.g., 31 September).
- Future-dated certificates (e.g., sick leave for 8–9 April 2024 but signed on 20 December 2024).

If you are still unsure, contact the medical practitioner directly. They cannot disclose private information but can verify whether the certificate is authentic and if the employee attended their practice.
Don’t let uncertainty about medical certificates disrupt your workplace. Contact SEESA for expert guidance and practical solutions to protect your business.
Author:
Isaivani Govender
Labour Legal Advisor
LLB, CHRM