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South African police rescue 200 people from illegal rehab centre
•2 min read•2 sources
South African police in Mpumalanga province have rescued 200 individuals, including children, from an unregistered rehabilitation facility where they were being held in horrific conditions. The raid targeted a centre operating out of a local church, leading to the immediate arrest of a pastor and his wife on kidnapping charges. Authorities described the environment as inhumane, uncovering evidence of severe neglect and physical restraint used against those seeking help for addiction.
During the operation, officers discovered patients with visible sores and some individuals chained together. While the facility had previously reported to authorities that it was housing only 60 people, the police found more than triple that number during the search. Investigations revealed that the centre charged patients a monthly fee for rehabilitation services, with a significant portion of the revenue allegedly benefiting the church's own operations rather than patient care.
The health and safety of the rescued individuals became an immediate priority for the authorities following the raid. Fourteen of the rescued patients required urgent medical attention and were transported to local hospitals for treatment of various ailments. Meanwhile, social workers and law enforcement officials have successfully reunited 132 of the rescued people with their families. The arrested couple remains in custody and is expected to appear in court on Monday to face formal charges related to the illegal operation and the kidnapping of the residents.
This incident highlights a growing crisis in South Africa regarding unregulated and illegal rehabilitation centres. As substance abuse rates continue to rise across the country, many families turn to these unlicensed facilities in desperation when legitimate options are unavailable or unaffordable. Authorities have warned that the lack of oversight in such centres frequently leads to human rights abuses and the exploitation of vulnerable citizens seeking recovery.
