A 54-year-old Cuban doctor has been detained in South Africa amid allegations of stealing medications from the public hospital where she was employed, as reported by several local outlets including The Sunday World, The Citizen, and The Bulrushes.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) released an official statement identifying the doctor as Yamilet Castañeda, who was associated with Thabazimbi Hospital in Limpopo Province.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba reported that the alleged theft took place on September 2nd at approximately 6:45 a.m. A security guard conducting a routine check at the hospital's main entrance discovered unauthorized medicines in the doctor's bag.
Following this discovery, Castañeda was taken to her office, where additional drugs were found during a subsequent search.
An internal investigation was launched, and the police were notified, leading to an arrest warrant. However, the doctor reportedly traveled to Cuba shortly after the incident and was apprehended upon her return to South Africa on October 22nd, as noted by The Citizen.
On October 23rd, the doctor appeared before the Thabazimbi Magistrates' Court, where she was released with a warning as the investigation continues. The case has been postponed until November 28th for further evidence presentation.
Police sources confirmed that inquiries are ongoing to assess the extent of the alleged theft and to determine if others were involved.
Castañeda is part of a group of Cuban doctors hired by the South African government under a bilateral health cooperation agreement that has been in place for over two decades.
These medical professionals are deployed in public hospitals in rural and hard-to-reach areas, primarily in the provinces of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Eastern Cape.
As of now, neither the Cuban authorities nor the Cuban embassy in Pretoria have commented on the matter.
Details of the Alleged Medicine Theft by Cuban Doctor
What happened to the Cuban doctor in South Africa?
The Cuban doctor, Yamilet Castañeda, was arrested in South Africa for allegedly stealing medications from a public hospital. She was found with unauthorized drugs in her possession during a security check.
What actions have been taken by the authorities?
The authorities have launched an internal investigation and notified the police, leading to an arrest warrant. The doctor was detained upon her return to South Africa and later released with a warning pending further investigation.
Is this incident part of a larger issue?
Investigations are ongoing to determine the scale of the alleged theft and whether any other individuals were involved.