A pastor and his wife have been arrested in South Africa following the discovery of 200 people, some held in chains, at a suspected illegal rehabilitation facility in the north-eastern part of the country. According to BBC News, the facility was uncovered during an official raid on Thursday at a church-based operation in Mpumalanga province. Authorities documented what they described as "gross inhumane conditions" at the site.
The suspects, identified as a 59-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman, face kidnapping charges, with Times Live reporting that additional allegations include operating an unregistered treatment centre and breaching health and safety standards. The couple have not yet commented on the charges.
What conditions were found at the facility?
Inspectors discovered severe overcrowding and neglect throughout the centre. Patients were housed in crowded rooms without access to functioning bathrooms or running water, with some displaying "sores all over their bodies." According to Times Live, investigators found that 37 people were reportedly sharing a single room at the facility.
Among those detained were a 16-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy, who were being kept in the same room as adults. The couple claimed to be housing 60 people, but officials discovered more than three times that number, including more than 30 women. Many residents came from surrounding areas including Rustenburg, Soweto, Springs and Mamelodi, with some having reportedly been at the centre for more than six months.
How was the illegal operation funded?
The couple charged a monthly fee of 3,000 rand (approximately $182 or £137) to house patients. According to the department of social development, nearly half of this amount—1,300 rand—was reportedly paid to the church through an arrangement involving intermediaries described as "scouters." This financial structure suggests the church benefited directly from the operation of the facility.
What is the broader context of illegal rehabilitation centres in South Africa?
Unlicensed rehabilitation facilities have proliferated across South Africa in recent years as drug use has escalated throughout the country. The department of social development reported last year that it had uncovered more than 100 unlawful facilities operating across the nation, with the majority concentrated in Gauteng province, which includes Johannesburg, the country's largest city. This discovery in Mpumalanga adds to growing evidence of widespread unregulated operations exploiting vulnerable populations.
What happened to those found at the centre?
Fourteen of the 200 people discovered at the facility were taken to hospital for further medical treatment. Officials said 132 have been reunited with their families. The group, mostly believed to be individuals struggling with substance addiction, required immediate support and medical assessment following their release from the facility.
What charges do the suspects face?
The couple face charges under section 19 of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, as well as alleged violations of environmental health bylaws and the National Health Act, according to Times Live. Police have indicated that further arrests and additional charges remain possible as the investigation continues.
What happens next?
The couple are expected to appear in the Mdutjana Magistrate's Court in Siyabuswa on Monday, 19 October 2026. Police have indicated that the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed as authorities complete their examination of the facility's operations and financial arrangements.
