A pastor and his wife have been arrested in South Africa after authorities reportedly discovered around 200 people, including children, living in disturbing conditions at an unauthorised rehabilitation centre in Mpumalanga province.
The raid took place on Thursday, October 15, 2026, following an inspection of the church-run facility, where some residents were reportedly found chained together. Authorities also discovered people with untreated sores, overcrowded sleeping areas, damaged toilets and no running water.
The centre was allegedly operating without the required authorisation, raising serious concerns about the treatment of vulnerable people seeking help for drug addiction and other challenges.
According to reports, the pastor and his wife told officials that the facility could accommodate only 60 people. However, inspectors reportedly found more than 200 residents, including at least 30 women and two children aged 11 and 16 who were sharing accommodation with adults.
Here are five key details about the case.
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1. About 200 Residents Found During Raid
Authorities reportedly discovered around 200 people at the rehabilitation centre during the inspection.
The facility was allegedly operating beyond its stated capacity, with the couple reportedly telling officials that they could accommodate just 60 residents.
Inspectors found at least 30 women among those at the centre. An 11-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl were also reportedly staying alongside adults, raising further concerns about safeguarding and the protection of minors.
Officials are expected to establish the circumstances under which the residents were admitted and whether the facility met any of the required standards for their care.
2. Some Residents Were Reportedly Chained Together
One of the most disturbing findings was the reported discovery of residents who had been chained together.
Others were said to have untreated sores on their bodies, suggesting that some people may have required urgent medical assessment.
The inspection also uncovered overcrowded sleeping areas, broken toilets and a lack of running water.
Such conditions can pose serious risks to the health, safety and dignity of people receiving care. However, the full circumstances surrounding the reported restraint of residents remain subject to investigation.
3. Residents Paid Monthly Fees for Treatment
South Africa’s Department of Social Development reportedly said residents were required to pay 3,000 rand per month, equivalent to approximately $182 at the reported conversion rate.
Reports further alleged that nearly half of the monthly fees went to the church operating the centre.
Authorities will need to establish how the money was collected and used, as well as whether residents or their families were properly informed about the facility’s status and conditions.
The case has also drawn attention to the vulnerability of people seeking rehabilitation services and the importance of ensuring that treatment facilities operate within the law.
4. Fourteen People Taken to Hospital
Following the raid, 14 residents were reportedly admitted to hospital for medical attention.
Another 132 people were returned to their families, according to reports. The status and arrangements for the remaining residents were not fully detailed in the information available.
The response highlights the practical challenges authorities face when shutting down an unauthorised care facility housing a large number of people.
Officials must ensure that those affected receive medical assessment, safe accommodation and appropriate support, particularly where children and people with addiction-related needs are involved.
5. Pastor and Wife Face Kidnapping Charges
Police arrested the pastor and his wife following the discovery. The couple reportedly faces kidnapping charges, while investigators examine whether additional offences may have been committed.
The pastor and his wife were expected to appear before a court on Monday, October 19, 2026.
The charges are allegations, and the couple’s guilt has not been established in court. Further details are expected as police investigate the circumstances surrounding the operation of the centre and the treatment of its residents.
The case has renewed concerns about unauthorised rehabilitation facilities in South Africa, particularly those run without the necessary approvals or adequate safeguards for people in their care.
Growing Concerns About Illegal Rehabilitation Centres
Rehabilitation facilities can provide important support for people struggling with substance use, but they must operate in a way that protects residents’ safety, dignity and rights.
The reported findings in Mpumalanga have raised questions about inspections, oversight and how vulnerable people are placed in facilities that may not meet required standards.
Authorities face the task of establishing what happened at the centre, ensuring that residents receive appropriate care and determining whether anyone else should face charges.
For the people removed from the facility, the immediate priority is access to safe accommodation, medical attention and suitable support services.
As the investigation continues, the case could prompt renewed scrutiny of how rehabilitation centres are monitored and how authorities respond to reports of abuse or unlawful confinement.
The pastor and his wife are expected to face the court process, where the allegations will be examined in accordance with the law.
BBC News — Patients in chains rescued from suspected illegal rehab centre in South Africa — BBC report on the rescue and arrests
The pastor and his wife
The pastor and his wife
The pastor and his wife
