Patients in chains rescued from suspected illegal rehab centre in South Africa
Developing story first seen 1 hour ago
A pastor and his wife have been arrested after officials found about 200 people, some chained, at a suspected illegal rehabilitation centre in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province. The discovery has drawn attention to the conditions inside unlawful facilities and the risks facing people seeking help for drug use.
The centre operated from a church, and officials said residents were crowded into rooms without working bathrooms or running water; some had sores, and two minors were among them. The couple had said they housed 60 people and charged 3,000 rand (£137) a month, with nearly half going to the church. Fourteen residents were taken to hospital, and the couple face kidnapping charges; authorities may add further charges.
- About 200 people were found at a suspected illegal centre.
- Some residents were chained and lacked running water.
- A pastor and his wife face kidnapping charges.