Authorities found patients living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at a suspected unlicensed rehabilitation facility operating from a church in Mpumalanga.

Mpumalanga, South Africa — South African authorities have rescued approximately 200 people from a suspected illegal rehabilitation center operating inside a church in Mpumalanga province, after inspectors discovered patients allegedly chained together and living in severely overcrowded conditions.

The operation exposed what provincial officials described as inhumane treatment at a facility believed to have been providing drug addiction rehabilitation services without the required registration.

Among those found at the center were 30 women and two minors. Fourteen people were taken to hospital for further medical attention following the rescue.

Police have arrested a pastor and his wife, who are accused of operating the facility. Both face kidnapping charges, while investigators are considering additional offences.

Inspectors Find 200 People at Unregistered Rehab Centre

According to provincial authorities, the facility had reportedly declared that it was accommodating about 60 people.

However, inspectors discovered roughly 200 residents during the operation, raising immediate concerns about overcrowding and the conditions in which patients were being kept.

Officials said some residents were found chained together, while others had visible sores on their bodies.

The rooms were overcrowded, and authorities reported that residents had no access to functioning bathrooms or running water.

The findings prompted an intervention to remove those being housed at the center and assess their immediate welfare.

Fourteen residents were subsequently transferred to hospital for further medical treatment.

Patients Allegedly Chained at Mpumalanga Rehabilitation Facility

The discovery of patients allegedly restrained with chains has raised serious concerns about the treatment of people seeking help for substance abuse.

Most of the residents are believed to have been receiving treatment for drug addiction.

However, the center was not registered to provide rehabilitation services, according to authorities.

Officials said the facility charged approximately 3,000 South African rand, equivalent to about $182, per patient each month.

The payments were reportedly collected despite the center lacking the registration required to operate as a rehabilitation facility.

The circumstances under which patients were admitted and kept at the center are now part of the investigation.

Pastor and Wife Arrested on Kidnapping Charges

Police arrested the pastor and his wife following the discovery of the conditions at the church-based facility.

The couple have been charged with kidnapping, although the allegations have not yet been tested in court.

Investigators are examining how residents came to be housed at the center, whether they were free to leave and whether additional criminal offences may have been committed.

Authorities have indicated that further charges could follow as the investigation progresses.

The arrests form part of a wider inquiry into the operation of the facility and the treatment of those placed in its care.

Illegal Rehabilitation Centers Under Scrutiny in South Africa

The Mpumalanga rescue has renewed concerns about unlicensed rehabilitation facilities operating in South Africa.

Families seeking treatment for relatives struggling with drug addiction may turn to private or faith-based centers, but authorities have warned that not all facilities meet the legal requirements for providing residential care.

Registration and regulatory oversight are intended to help ensure that rehabilitation centers maintain acceptable standards of accommodation, hygiene, treatment and patient safety.

Unregistered facilities can leave vulnerable people exposed to unsafe conditions, particularly where there is limited oversight of staff, treatment methods and restrictions placed on residents.

The conditions reported in Mpumalanga have brought those risks into sharper focus.

Authorities Urge Families to Check Rehab Centre Registration

Following the operation, authorities have urged families to verify the registration status of rehabilitation centers before admitting relatives for treatment.

Officials say checking whether a facility is properly authorized is an important safeguard for people seeking addiction recovery services.

The investigation into the Mpumalanga center remains ongoing, with police examining the alleged mistreatment of residents and the circumstances surrounding their admission.

For the approximately 200 people removed from the facility, the immediate priority has been their safety and access to appropriate care.

The case has also highlighted the need for effective oversight of rehabilitation services to prevent vulnerable patients from being exposed to abuse and dangerous living conditions.