By Staff Reporter
THABAZIMBI– A 54-year-old Cuban national medical doctor, Dr. Yamilet Castaneda, appeared before the Thabazimbi Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 23 October 2025, facing a charge of theft of medication from Thabazimbi Hospital.
According to police reports, the incident took place on 2 September 2025 at around 06:45, when a security officer at the hospital’s main gate conducted a routine search and discovered unauthorized medication in the doctor’s bag.
The officer immediately alerted authorities, and upon returning to her office, additional medication was found during a further search.
After the discovery, Castañeda was taken to her office, where more medications were found during a second search.
The authorities initiated an internal investigation and notified the police, who issued an arrest warrant. However, the doctor reportedly traveled to Cuba shortly after the incident and was detained upon her return to South Africa on October 22
Police sources confirmed that the investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the alleged theft and whether there are other people involved.
Castañeda is part of the group of Cuban doctors contracted by the South African government under a bilateral health cooperation agreement that has been in place for over two decades.
These professionals work in public hospitals located in rural and hard-to-reach areas, primarily in the provinces of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and the Eastern Cape.
So far, neither the Cuban authorities nor the Cuban Embassy in Pretoria have made any statements regarding the case.
Dr. Castaneda was released on warning, and the case has been postponed to Tuesday, 28 November 2025, for further investigation.
