Rescued youth graduates from rehab after illegal disciplinary camp ordeal near Evander

Sihle Shabalala (21), one of the 24 youth and children rescued from an illegal disciplinary camp facility between Evander and eMbalenhle last year, has successfully graduated from Yahweh Rapha Recovery Centre.

The Evander police, Kate Sangweni, and Thembi Msibi from the Evander Magistrate’s Court identified Sihle during the rescue operation.

The rescue exposed severe abuse at the illegal camp, where victims showed signs of physical assault, including bruises. Two pregnant teenagers were among those rescued.

Victims reported being subjected to degrading and violent treatment, including being forced to swim in a muddy dam, covering their heads with mud, beatings with a sjambok and a pipe, food deprivation, and poor hygiene conditions.

Following the raid, the team arrested two suspects, who later appeared before the Evander Magistrate’s Court on charges of child abuse, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, crimen injuria, and kidnapping.

The alleged owner of the camp reportedly escaped during the police raid and the authorities pursued him at the time. The police also expressed concern that parents took some children to the illegal facility under the pretext of disciplinary intervention.

In a shocking turn, some parents were present at court demanding the release of the suspects after their arrest.

Evander Court intermediary Thembi Msibi said that out of the 24 rescued children and youth, only three – two boys and one girl – voluntarily requested to be taken to rehabilitation. Sihle was among them.

“Yahweh Rapha Recovery Centre was the only rehabilitation centre that responded immediately, although there was a fee required.

“We approached Pearls of Great Worth and the Govan Mbeki Municipality council speaker, Fikile Magagamela, who responded positively by providing financial support for the entrance fee, food, toiletries, and blankets,” said Msibi.

She said Sihle embraced the opportunity.

“Instead of the required six months, he spent nine months at the rehabilitation centre. I can attest that he was waiting for the right time to change his life,” said Msibi.

She added that the court’s approach goes beyond criminal justice and includes promoting social justice, noting that drug and substance abuse are often root causes of domestic violence and gender-based violence.

“We recently handled a case where two parents, both drug addicts, came to court after fighting over a child support grant. It was encouraging that both admitted they needed help.

“As the court, we assisted them by sending them to a rehabilitation centre to protect their children from abuse. When they return, they will be better equipped to be responsible parents,” explained Msibi.

She said the Evander Magistrate’s Court remains committed to fighting drug and substance abuse in the community.

“Our goal is to take at least one or two addicts to rehabilitation each year, even though it is costly,” she said.

Vusi Shabalala, Sihle’s father, said the family appreciated the assistance from the court officials for taking their child to rehab.

Vusi said his son was on drugs and used to sell everything, including his belongings, to feed his addiction.

“I thank Thembi Msibi, her colleagues, and Yahweh Rapha Recovery Centre for helping my son to quit drugs. He also showed willingness to quit from the start. He is again the Sihle we knew, who was disciplined and building towards his career; not the problematic Sihle.

“It was also amazing that the centre was open for us to visit at any time. Sihle and I are now discussing what he wants to do to keep him busy so that he does not relapse, but have brighter future,” said Vusi.