Patients in chains rescued from suspected illegal rehab centre in South Africa

Key points

• A pastor and his wife were arrested after 200 people were found at a suspected illegal rehab centre in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
• Some patients were chained to each other and had sores all over their bodies, authorities said.
• The couple charged 3,000 rand monthly per patient and face kidnapping charges; they appear in court Monday.

A pastor and his wife have been arrested in South Africa after 200 people, some in chains, were found at a suspected illegal rehabilitation centre in Mpumalanga province. The facility was operated from a church and was discovered during an operation by officials on Thursday.

Authorities said they uncovered "gross inhumane conditions" during the raid. Some patients were found with sores all over their bodies, and others were chained to each other. Police have charged the couple with kidnapping but could add more charges. They have not yet commented.

What officials found

The couple told officials they were housing 60 people, but a higher number was found, including two minors and 30 women. The group, mostly believed to be drug addicts, were in crowded rooms without functioning bathrooms or running water. The department said some had been at the centre for a while.

The couple charged a monthly fee of 3,000 rand ($182; £137) to house the patients, with almost half going to the church. Fourteen people have been taken to hospital for further medical treatment, police said. The couple is expected to appear in a local court on Monday.

gross inhumane conditions

— authorities

Background on illegal centres

Illegal rehabilitation centres have mushroomed in South Africa in recent years as drug use spirals. Last year, the department of social development said it had uncovered over 100 unlawful facilities operating across the country, mostly in Gauteng province. This is where some of those found at this facility come from, the department said in a statement on Friday.