LONDON – A former NHS credit controller who stole more than £218,000 from patient funds has been convicted following an investigation by the NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA).
Zimbabwean, Edias Mazambani, 42, pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position during a trial at Southwark Crown Court earlier this month.
The case also led to the conviction of four other Zimbabweans for money laundering offences linked to the fraudulent scheme.
The trial, which began on 1 September and lasted six weeks, heard how Mazambani used his access to secure NHS financial systems to process false refund requests from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, where he was employed as a credit controller.
Co-Defendants Convicted
George Magaya, 48, pleaded guilty to four counts of money laundering on 3 September, while Rosemary Magaya, 37, Michelle Tengende, 40, and Sinqobile Pasipanodya, 43, were found guilty of money laundering by a jury on 14 October.
Both Tengende and Rosemary Magaya were employed by the NHS at the time of the offences.
All five defendants, who had initially pleaded not guilty in November 2023, have been released on unconditional bail ahead of sentencing, which is expected to take place in January 2026.
Fraud Uncovered by NHS Finance Staff
The fraudulent activity was uncovered by the finance department at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust after staff identified suspicious refund requests relating to monies held on behalf of patients and clients.
An internal investigation traced the requests to Mazambani’s system credentials. Further checks found links between his personal accounts and those receiving the fraudulent payments.
Following his arrest, Mazambani declined to answer questions during a police interview, but investigators later recovered documents related to refund transactions at his home.
Over £300,000 in Fraudulent Activity Identified
The NHSCFA investigation found that £218,000 had been successfully stolen and a further £84,000 in fraudulent claims had been identified and prevented. The total value of the fraud was estimated at more than £302,000.
Financial analysis showed that money was moved through accounts controlled by Mazambani’s associates, often being transferred back to him and the Magayas.
Investigators used powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) to trace the stolen funds and are expected to pursue asset recovery proceedings.
‘Sophisticated Internal Fraud’
Ben Harrison, Head of Operations at the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, said the case demonstrated the agency’s determination to protect NHS funds.
“This was a sophisticated internal fraud that exploited the trust of patients and the NHS system,” he said.
“Mazambani used his privileged access to confidential financial data to steal over £218,000 and attempt a further £84,000 involving accomplices to launder the proceeds.
Our investigation, working closely with the trust’s finance team, demonstrates that we will pursue fraudsters wherever the evidence leads and use all available powers to recover stolen NHS funds.”
Sentencing to Take Place in January
All five defendants are due to be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court in January 2026. The NHSCFA confirmed that it will continue to work with the trust to recover public money lost to the fraud.
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