In brief
In a dramatic raid on an alleged illegal rehabilitation centre in Mpumalanga, South Africa, police freed 200 patients, many chained and suffering from severe injuries. The site, operating out of a church under a pastor and his wife, was found in deplorable conditions with overcrowding and lack of sanitation. Authorities arrested the couple on kidnapping charges and tied further investigations to the rising number of unlawful rehab facilities across the country. The incident shines a spotlight on the dangerous surge of illicit drug treatment centres amid South Africa's drug crisis.
By Khanyisile Ngcobo, Johannesburg
Published 4 minutes ago
A pastor and his wife have been arrested in South Africa after 200 people, some in chains, were found held at a suspected illegal rehabilitation centre in the north‑eastern part of the country.
The facility, operated from a church in Mpumalanga province, was discovered during an operation by officials in the area on Thursday.
"Gross inhuman conditions" were uncovered at the raid, with patients found with sores all over their bodies and some chained to each other.
Police have charged the couple with kidnapping, though additional charges may be added. They have not yet commented.
Illegal rehabilitation centres have mushroomed in South Africa in recent years as drug use spirals across the country.
Last year, the Department of Social Development discovered over 100 unlawful facilities nationwide, mostly in Gauteng province.
Some of those found in this facility come from the same region, the department said in a statement on Friday.
The couple running the centre told officials they were housing 60 people, but inspection revealed a higher number, including two minors and 30 women.
The group was found in crowded rooms without functioning bathrooms or running water.
"Some of them had been at the alleged illegal centre for a while," the department said.
The couple charged a monthly fee of 3,000 rand ($182; £137) to house patients, nearly half of which went to the church.
Fourteen patients have since been taken to hospital for further medical treatment, police said.
The couple is expected to appear in a local court on Monday.
