Falaqa: Unregistered Drug Rehabilitation Centres (8 July)

Written by TVSA Team from the blog 3rd Degree on 08 Jul 2008
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On 3rd Degree this Tuesday:

Episode: Falaqa: Unregistered Drug Rehabilitation Centres In Cape Town
Broadcast date: 8 July, 2008 at 20h00
Channel: e.tv
Repeated: 21h00 on the eNews Channel

3rd Degree investigates horrifying allegations of torture at unregistered drug rehabilitation centres in Cape Town. The show received stories of recovering addicts strapped down with horse shackles while having their feet repeatedly beaten with a belt.

One young man describes how he received 200 lashes and then had to crawl around on his hands and knees because he was in such pain. Despite the fact that his feet were septic and swollen, he received no medical care.

This old Islamic custom of Falaqa is being meted out as punishment for addicts who break the rules at these centres, despite the Muslim Judicial Council saying the practice is unacceptable.

3rd Degree goes inside some of these rehabs to find out what's going on. While the directors deny that Falaqa is being used, the evidence is overwhelming: witnesses and victims have come forward to tell their stories and show their scars.

The Department of Social Development says it is investigating but so far, no centres have been shut down. Drug use among the youth in the Western Cape is out of control. Parents are desperate and don’t know where to turn. Established drug rehabs are expensive and state facilities are difficult to get into at short notice so families are turning to unorthodox methods in search of a cure.

Are unscrupulous people with no qualifications taking advantage of a desperate situation in order to make money? Are the poor being exploited because they have no other choices? 3rd Degree investigates.

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11 Comments

Miley
10 Jul 2008 04:37

Debora,
The show on Tuesday is not what I had expected, as I already knew about what you stated on the show. My boyfriend was also at one of these places in the Grassy Park area. I have to say it was an eye opener for me when i saw the place. Just one big room, with a lot of mattresses, one small kitchen and the bathroom directly adjacent to the kitchen. He had been there three weeks already when he first notified me about him being there. I tried to reason that maybe this is the last resort that people go to to try and get their loved ones off drugs. However, after he was released, he talked about the torture, him being attacked by +-15 boys and left to fend for himself. They leave you alone, with no medical care afterwards and to heal on your own. I have to say I was quite disturbed to hear of the things that he spoke about happening there.

I would like you to do a follow up if it is at all possible, because I think there is more to this story than what was being portrayed on previous show. I dont condone the misery that these addicts bring upon their loved ones, but i also dont agree with the methods of these people to try and "help" them. My boyfriend was talking about them trying to brainwash him and others, and who knows what else is going on there.

Debora, I believe that there is more to be exposed. I thank you for making other people aware of these kind of places that are operating in Cape Town.

molibelis
10 Jul 2008 04:49

HUUUUUU,ee bathong this people must go to jail,mane,how can they treat people like this?

wecbof
25 Jul 2008 03:38

Dear Debora

Your program is one of the few I would diarise and not dare to miss and in actual fact that only one where I have registered in this way.

I know that you push the limits at times, but also know that to get to the bottom of the truth it does require firmness and boldness at times.

As the CEO of an organisation that represents the interest of business people in the Western Cape, I would like to wish you all the success with the excellent work you are doing, but would like to draw your attention to an area I believe you should seriously consider looking into, namely local authorities, particularly the City of Cape Town.

The Afrikaans Sunday newspaper "Rapport " of the weekend of 20 July 2008 reported on a huge corruption scandal regarding fronting and irregular awarding of tenders and I know of particulalry two of my members, one mentioned in the article, who are taking legal action against the City for similar charges. Please try to investigate the prevelance of this practise, as it will be in the interest of all, even those using these schemes.

Regards

carino
25 Jul 2008 03:44

yho...

stovu
25 Jul 2008 03:47

Shame Wecbof it good to see there are poeple like you who report corruption but i think you should send your concerned to 3rddegree@etv.co.za

belz
25 Jul 2008 03:58

Gomez
19 Sep 2008 15:49

In this your program they are clearly tell about Drug Rehabilitation ..........3rd Degree is use for social environment also...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gomez
<a href="http://www.iaddictiontreatment.com" rel="dofollow">Addiction Treatment</a>

Gomez
19 Sep 2008 15:53

In this your program they are clearly tell about Drug Rehabilitation ..........3rd Degree is use for social environment also...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gomez

<a href="http://www.iaddictiontreatment.com" rel="dofollow">Addiction Treatment</a>

Gomez
19 Sep 2008 15:54

rjac
18 Jan 2011 11:31

Im an ex heroin addict and was a patient at Falaqa rehab. everyday i see patients being abused. it was a real horror. we were treated like slaves. we were beaten under our feet to a critical condition, feet were swollen and could't walk for two weeks. when we get visitors another person will be in the visiting room to listen to the conversation so that a report could be carried over of what we spoke about.

Nats27
31 Oct 2011 09:03

One of these rehabilitations that were closed down have reopened under a different name and are continuing to practice falaqa on the drug addicts.

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