The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has welcomed the arrest of three suspects allegedly involved in the theft and illegal sale of termination of pregnancy medication from the Stretford Community Health Centre in Orange Farm.
According to the department, the arrests follow an incident on 24 August 2026, during which two boxes of Cytotec tablets and an additional 24 loose tablets were allegedly stolen after a medication cupboard was broken into. The medication is used as part of legal Choice on Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) services.
The suspects were apprehended following a whistleblower’s tip-off that led to a sting operation. Investigators arrested one suspect who allegedly sold the stolen medication to women waiting for CTOP services at the clinic. A client who had purchased the tablets assisted police in identifying the suspect, leading to the arrest of two additional alleged accomplices.
The three suspects, all Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers, were arrested on Thursday, 27 August 2026, and remain in custody at Orange Farm Police Station. They are expected to appear in court on Monday, 31 August 2026.
The department condemned the alleged theft, describing it as a serious breach of public trust that exploits vulnerable women and compromises the integrity of the public healthcare system. Officials said those who profit from the unlawful sale of state medication must be held accountable.
Gauteng Health also urged members of the public not to purchase termination of pregnancy medication from unauthorised individuals or illegal operators. The department warned that so-called “backyard abortion” services may expose women to severe health complications, including excessive bleeding, infection, uterine damage, infertility and, in some cases, death.
The department reassured residents that safe, confidential and legal termination of pregnancy services remain available at designated public healthcare facilities across Gauteng. These services are provided by trained healthcare professionals in accordance with the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act and include counselling, medical and surgical procedures, psychosocial support and health education.
Gauteng Health has encouraged women seeking termination of pregnancy services to visit authorised public healthcare facilities to ensure they receive safe, professional and lawful medical care.
