A woman who forcefully pulled her child out of the Usizo Rehabilitation Centre in Hammanskraal with the assistance of the police has described the centre as worse than prison.
Patronella Ngwato from Soshanguve accused the centre of abusing her child and claimed it was not registered to offer rehabilitation services — allegations the centre has vehemently denied.
Ngwato's son was admitted to the centre early in February to undergo a six-month programme. But two months after his admission, Ngwato decided to remove her son from the facility after learning the centre was not registered.
The centre, however, put up a fight, demanding she pay R10,000 before they could release her son.
Ngwato said she had been paying R2,500 a month, but the centre couldn't provide a progress report or any formal programme to prove there was counselling.
“When I ask them about the programme and who was doing the counselling — what is the progress report to show his condition and if he is improving — they couldn't provide that,” she said.
She claimed the centre does not even keep a file for its patients.
“The place is a complete disaster. When you look at it from the outside, you think, 'this is a nice place,' but inside it is a disaster. The rooms where they sleep have pit toilets. Even the prison is better. That’s worse than a prison,” she said.
Her son described the horrific details of what happened during his two-month stay at the centre.
“He said they were beating them, and when parents wanted to visit they would be told they couldn't see their children during the programme and they would have to visit through arrangements,” she said.
According to its website, Usizo Rehabilitation Centre assists drug users to reclaim their lives from their addiction.
The centre's owner, Isaac Mahobotsha, said they have registered as a nonprofit organisation and vehemently denied the allegations of physical abuse.
He said the centre's problem was with the compliance certificates, and they have tried to involve the department of social development (DSD) to help them sort out their paperwork.
Any kid who is not willing to give up smoking will only say bad things about us. We don't have any cases of physical abuse since we started in 2016
— Isaac Mahobotsha, owner
He said children who have been admitted to his centre were able to recover and reintegrate into society.
“We have so many parents who can testify for us. The mother who took her child had a problem because she was not willing to pay the outstanding amount, but wanted us to release her child.
“There is an agreement that we sign with parents. We don't just take anyone from the streets or we don't just hijack everyone, there is an agreement,” he said.
He claimed he had helped the mother take her child from the streets, and he even went as far as fetching him from where he was with drug addicts.
“We were worried when she came to take her child. When children are possessed and want to remain on the streets and continue to smoke, they will only say bad things about us,” he said.
She said the parents signed an agreement before they could admit the children and because of this, he could have taken Ngwato to court to force her to pay the outstanding amount.
“We don't know what we have done, but we released the child. I think her son just wants to remain on the streets and continue smoking,” he said.
“We do explain to these parents and assist them. We do that as men of prayer... who need each other,” he said.
Mahobotsha claimed Ngwato's son was not well and he needed medical care.
“Any kid who is not willing to give up smoking will only say bad things about us. We don't have any cases of physical abuse since we started in 2016.”
Gauteng DSD spokesperson Themba Gadebe said the centre was not registered in terms of the Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008.
He said the department opted to assist the centre in getting registered to comply in light of appreciating the need to deal with substance abuse as an elevated provincial priority.
While Mahobotsha claimed they were getting assistance from the DSD to get their affairs in order, Gadebe painted a different picture.
“[The DSD] was met with hostility. Subsequently, the department issued an enforcement letter for the centre to close on October 25 2023. Again, the facility failed to comply with the enforcement letter,” said Gadebe.
He said the centre does not follow procedures for voluntary and involuntary admission as outlined in the legislative prescripts. Gadebe said it does not have a proper detoxification policy as a requirement for the service it provides, and neither does it have professional services as outlined in the norms and standards for inpatient treatment centres.
“The centre enjoys the support of families who brought patients against their will. The community of Hammanskraal is aware of the centre and is in support of it,” said Gadebe.
“This was evidenced when the department attempted to remove the patient from the facility and the community organised a protest against our officials.”
Gadebe said when the centre was advised to close or comply with legislated requirements, it again received backing from the community, who became hostile towards DSD officials.
Gadebe said the owner was advised to release minors into the care of parents, as having them at the centre violated the Children's Act. The DSD also tried to engage the parents to have the children removed, but there was resistance.
“The centre is operating illegally and therefore is not allowed to admit anyone at its facility. For anyone to be held against their free will at any facility whether legal or illegal, there should be a court order, and without a court order, people should be allowed to leave at any time,” he said.
He added allegations of physical abuse were reported, and the affected family was advised to open a criminal case, which they refused to do.
“Nevertheless, a process to obtain a court order to have the centre closed is under way,” he said.
