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A REHABILITATION centre in the greater Grassy Park area has come under accusations of assault.

A 19-year-old girl was apparently beaten with a belt at Raghma Centre in Parkwood ? a centre the owners say is merely a "shelter" for girls.

Two people have been arrested: Omar Mustapah (20) and Lameez Kahar (31). They appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on Thursday, 22 May. They were both released on bail. Their next appea?rance has been set at Tuesday, 29 July.

Debbie van Stade, director of Specialised Support Services of the provincial Social Development Department, says that an initial investigation into the centre is under way.

She says that after the allegations of assault, the owners of the centre approached her department for registration. Van Stade explains that the centre is currently running an in-patient programme that is "not allowed" if the centre is not registered as a rehabilitation facility.

She also makes it clear that despite their claims of being a "shelter", due to the fact that people are going to the centre for treatment for drug addiction, they are considered to be a rehab.

The centre will be served with a letter within the week to notify them that they cannot run an in-patient programme until they have registered, says Van Stade.

She adds that should they fail to comply with the terms, legal action will be taken against them.

Rashaad Allen, of the Foundation of Positive Change in Parkwood, says that this rehab centre is a "money making thing".

"The rehab centre is for girls but there are boys working there and they sleep in the same building as the girls. When the girls leave the rehab centre, they boys take them out jolling (dan?cing). These girls are so vulnerable," says Allen.

He says that when the centre first opened about seven months ago, neighbours close to the centre complained to him about screaming and fighting coming from the premises.

"I used to work at the Circle of Friends in Grassy Park and I know what happens in these rehab centres."

The owners of the Raghma centre declined to comment.

Another incident in October last year involved the death of 19-year-old Siraaj Charles ("Rehab death shrouded in mystery", People's Post, 9 October, 2007), who was undergoing rehabilitation at an unregistered rehab centre in Grassy Park.

After complaining about a prickly feeling in his head he was rushed to hospital but died before he got there. A murder docket was opened. Inspector Stephen Knapp, communication officer of the Grassy Park Police Station, explains that they are still waiting for the autopsy results. The centre in question has subsequently closed.

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