Three women were arrested on Thursday, 27 August 2026, at Stretford Community Health Centre in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, in connection with the alleged theft and illegal sale of abortion medication from the public clinic. The suspects, whose identities have not been released, were detained at Orange Farm Police Station on charges of theft of medication, Orange Farm police spokesperson Sergeant Shaan Motsapi confirmed to The Citizen.
The Cytotec tablets — medication used for termination of pregnancy — were allegedly stolen on Monday, 24 August 2026, after a padlock securing a medication cupboard at the clinic was broken, the Gauteng Department of Health said, as reported by IOL on 28 August 2026. A person allegedly paid R500 for the stolen medication, Sergeant Motsapi told The Citizen.
The suspects were employed at the clinic under the Expanded Public Works Programme, the Gauteng Department of Health said. Orange Farm SAPS received a complaint at about 15:00 on 27 August 2026 and arrested the three women after responding to the clinic and investigating the theft.
The theft of state medication from public health facilities is a recurring problem across South Africa, where government clinics serve millions who rely on the public health system for essential care. Stolen drugs are often resold illegally, undermining clinic supplies and exposing patients to unregulated medication that may be improperly stored, incorrectly dosed, or past its expiry date.
“The GDoH strongly condemns the theft of medication and the exploitation of vulnerable women and patients seeking healthcare services,” the Gauteng Department of Health said in a statement reported by IOL. The department described the arrests as a significant step in protecting patients and safeguarding public healthcare resources from those who profit from the unlawful sale of state medication.
The charges against the three women have not yet been tested in court, and their identities have not been released by police. The exact quantity of stolen tablets and the reported court appearance date of 31 August 2026 remain unconfirmed by a second independent source.
CapeFlats.co.za will seek confirmation from Orange Farm SAPS and the Gauteng Department of Health on 31 August 2026, when the suspects are reportedly due to appear in court. This account is based on reporting by IOL, The Citizen, and eNCA on 28 August 2026; no CapeFlats.co.za journalist was present at the scene.