Cape Town – Dr Yamilet Castaneda, a Cuban national working in South Africa, appeared in the Thabazimbi Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday facing a charge of theft of medication.
The case relates to allegations she removed medication from Thabazimbi Hospital in Limpopo, where she is employed.
According to Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the incident dates back to 2 September 2025 when a security officer at the hospital’s main gate “conducted a routine search and found unauthorised medication in the doctor’s bag.”
Malabi said that the guard then took her back to her office, where “additional medication was discovered during a further search.”
He revealed that medication valued at R1,780 was found in the doctor’s possession during the bag search.
Dr Castaneda was arrested on her return from Cuba on 22 October 2025 and brought before the court the next day. She was released on warning while investigations continue and the matter was postponed to 28 November for further proceedings.
#sapsLIM [COURT UPDATE] Dr. Yamilet Castaneda (54), a Cuban national medical doctor, appeared in Thabazimbi Magistrate’s Court on Thurs, 23/10, for theft of medication from Thabazimbi Hospital. She was released on warning, and the case was postponed to Tues, 28/10, for further… pic.twitter.com/GS5Hrx9Kha
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) October 25, 2025
During the court appearance, the prosecution emphasised that the NPA remains committed to investigating and prosecuting allegations of criminal conduct regardless of the accused’s status or nationality. “The matter was reported to the police, and following investigations, the suspect was arrested …” Malabi said, according to The Citizen
No plea has yet been entered, and investigators are reportedly checking whether further persons may be involved in the alleged theft.
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