South African police rescue 200 people, some in chains
South African police arrested a couple running an illegal rehabilitation center in Mpumalanga after discovering 200 people living in inhumane conditions. Many of the individuals, including minors, were found chained and suffering from health issues.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the proliferation of unregulated, abusive facilities operating under the guise of addiction treatment in South Africa.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Khanyisile Ngcobo Johannesburg Department of social development Officials uncovered "gross inhuman conditions" when they raided the centre 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.
Authorities said they uncovered "gross inhumane conditions" when they raided the facility, with some patients found with "sores all over their bodies" and "others chained to each other".
Police have since charged the couple, who were running the facility, with kidnapping but could add more charges. They have not yet commented.
Illegal rehabilitation centres have mushroomed in South Africa in recent years as drug use spirals in the country.
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