A 54-year-old Cuban national and medical doctor has been arrested in Limpopo for allegedly stealing medication from a hospital. Dr. Yamilet Castaneda appeared in the Thabazimbi Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 23 October 2025. Her arrest occurred earlier this month immediately upon her return from Cuba....Click to Read More >>➤

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed the charges. Castaneda faces a single count of theft of medication from Thabazimbi Hospital. The court released her on a warning. The case was postponed to Tuesday, 28 November 2025, to allow for further investigation.

The Discovery at the Hospital Gate

The incident unfolded during a routine security check. A security officer at the hospital’s main gate searched Castaneda’s bag and discovered unauthorized medication. This initial discovery prompted a deeper search of her office. Officers found additional medication during this secondary inspection.

The matter was immediately reported to the South African Police Service. Investigators worked on the case and waited for the suspect’s return. Castaneda was arrested on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, as she re-entered South Africa after a reported trip to Cuba. The arrest of the Cuban national doctor marks a significant development in the case.

In an unrelated major bust last week, police seized illegally imported smartphones worth over R17 million. The haul included popular Apple iPhones and Samsung gadgets. Officers also confiscated mobile phone accessories, two-way radios, and counterfeit IMEI and ICASA labels.

A Multidisciplinary Takedown Operation

The operation took place in Fordsburg, Johannesburg. A multidisciplinary team acted on specific intelligence. The information pointed to a Fordsburg mall where the illegal electronic devices were being stored and sold.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk detailed the participating units. The team included members from the SAPS Commercial Crime Investigation Unit, border policing, and the Johannesburg Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC). The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) and private security personnel also joined the operation.

Authorities confiscated more than a thousand “non-type-approved” devices. These items contravene the Customs and Excise Act and the Electronic Communications Act. A non-type-approved cell phone is any device that lacks official certification from Icasa, making its sale and use illegal in South Africa. The investigation into the activities of the Cuban national doctor and the smuggling ring continues separately. ...Click to Read More >>➤