GAUTENG DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SETS RECORD STRAIGHT ON DR F&F TREATMENT CENTRE CLAIMS
BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA
The Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) notes with concern misleading statements made by the Democratic Alliance (DA) regarding the operations and capacity of the Dr Fabian and Florence Ribeiro Substance Abuse Treatment Centre.
The Department wishes to place the following facts on record to correct these inaccuracies. The Dr Fabian and Florence Ribeiro Treatment Centre is registered to accommodate 353 patients, based on its available human resource capacity.
While the infrastructure allows for a larger intake, patient admissions are guided by staffing levels to ensure quality care and effective treatment outcomes. Contrary to claims that 1 249 patients were admitted at the facility, this figure represents the total number of individuals admitted across Gauteng during Phase 1 of the Tswa Daar campaign.
This number includes admissions to various funded non-profit organisation (NPO) inpatient treatment centres across the province, and not solely the Dr Fabian and Florence Ribeiro facility. In addition, 805 individuals were assessed and referred to outpatient treatment programmes following comprehensive evaluations conducted by social workers and medical professionals during the campaign. It is important to emphasise that not all individuals with substance use challenges require inpatient admission.
Appropriate treatment interventions are determined through professional assessments to ensure that each individual receives the most suitable level of care. While there was a temporary increase in the number of service users at the Dr Fabian and Florence Ribeiro facility, this was effectively managed.
The Department deployed additional human resources, including Social Workers and mobile treatment services, to provide psychosocial support and medical detoxification where required. Claims that the facility lacked medication for detoxification are incorrect. All admitted service users received medical care aligned with their treatment plans. It must be noted that Gauteng faces a high prevalence of crystal methamphetamine use, for which there is no approved pharmacological detox treatment.
In such cases, withdrawal is managed through clinically approved supplements to ease symptoms, which were made available at the facility. The Department further rejects claims that the facility can only accommodate 150 patients due to staffing constraints. The centre remains fully capacitated to manage 353 patients. Following its temporary closure for renovations, the facility will reopen in May 2026 with an initial intake of 150 service users as part of a phased admission process.
Weekly admissions will continue until full capacity is reached. This approach ensures effective management of withdrawal symptoms and optimal care for all service users. To strengthen service delivery, the Department has recruited 10 additional Social Workers, along with nursing personnel, to support operations at the facility. The current staffing complement is adequate to manage the centre’s registered capacity.
The temporary closure of the facility was a necessary measure to ensure the safety and security of service users. Ongoing renovations required the movement of contractors and materials, which posed risks, including the potential introduction of substances into the facility. During this period, individuals requiring inpatient care were referred to other funded NPO treatment facilities, as well as outpatient and community-based programmes across the province.
The Department also wishes to correct the misconception that all individuals with substance use disorders require inpatient treatment. This is not the case. Outpatient treatment programmes are equally effective, depending on the individual’s condition and level of commitment, and remain a critical component of the continuum of care.
The Dr Fabian and Florence Ribeiro Treatment Centre is on track to resume admissions from 12 May 2026, with screening processes already underway across regions.
The Gauteng Department of Social Development continues to provide evidence-based, safe and effective substance abuse treatment services, and calls on all stakeholders to refrain from spreading misinformation that may undermine public confidence in these critical services.
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