The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) is investigating a rehabilitation centre in Khayelitsha after 100 people escaped and it was found that the facility was not registered to operate as a treatment facility.
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According to the department, the relevant programmes have been informed and it is investigating the matter, as reported by the Cape Times.
The Iliso Lakhe Rehabilitation Centre came under fire recently as several claims of alleged abuse were lodged against it following the death of its co-founder, Shaheed Silwana.
However, co-founder Siyamthanda Fatima Diko says attempts to register the facility were futile. ‘We registered the rehabilitation centre but the Department of Social Development (DSD) won’t recognise us because the department would recognise organisations that are funded by them; they had not funded our organisation yet which is why they said we are not recognised or registered.’
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Diko denies the allegations of abuse. ‘A parent sent me a WhatsApp text asking me what is happening in the rehab because her son came home with bruises. I received a call from a community member telling me that the children broke out of rehab.
‘Later that day certain parents called me and said this whole thing was planned, the children said that someone went to their rooms on Thursday night and were told to act surprised when they were told about Shaheed’s death and they must say they don’t want me to come back to the rehab because I am abusive.’
The centre treats youths aged between 16 and 59 years old. Earlier this month, about 100 patients broke out of the facility due to the alleged abuse.
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