200 people found chained at illegal South African rehab centre

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 15:20 · Archive

About 200 people, some chained together, were rescued from an illegal rehabilitation facility at a church in South Africa.

A pastor, aged 59, and his wife, aged 58, have been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping after officials raided an illegal rehabilitation centre at a church in Waterval B, Siyabuswa, in Mpumalanga province. About 200 people were found at the facility, though the couple had claimed to be housing only 60.

The rescued people were living in grossly inhumane conditions, according to authorities. Some were chained to one another, others had sores all over their bodies, and the group lacked access to functioning bathrooms or running water. More than 30 women were among those found, along with a 16-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy. Police took 14 people for medical treatment.

The couple charged residents a monthly fee of 3,000 rand (£137), with almost half going to the church. They have been charged with kidnapping and running an illegal facility without registration authorisation. The couple are due to appear at Mdutjana magistrates' court in Siyabuswa on Monday. Illegal rehabilitation centres have proliferated in South Africa in recent years as drug use increases, with the department of social development uncovering over 100 unlawful facilities across the country last year.

How it is being reported

• Hundreds of chained up 'hostages' including children are found in 'grossly inhumane' religious 'rehabilitation centre' in South AfricaAround 200 people including children were rescued from a church in Mpumalanga after inspectors alerted police to the grim state of the suspected illegal rehabilitation centre.Daily Mail · 16 Oct, 15:09
• Patients in chains rescued from suspected illegal rehab centre in South AfricaSome of the 200 patients were found with "sores all over their bodies" and in overcrowded rooms.BBC World · 16 Oct, 14:09

In this story: South Africa · Mpumalanga province · Waterval B, Siyabuswa

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem