A pastor and his wife have been taken into custody in South Africa following a police raid on an illicit church-run rehabilitation center in Mpumalanga province that exposed terrible living conditions.
Local news outlets reported that approximately 200 victims, including both minors and adults purportedly seeking treatment for substance abuse, were uncovered at the site on Thursday, October 15.
Investigators noted that some individuals were chained together, while others suffered from untreated physical wounds. The venue featured lack of running water, broken toilet facilities, and severely overcrowded sleeping quarters.
According to government officials, the institution was functioning without the necessary legal authorization.
Authorities stated that the couple had initially claimed they could house a maximum of 60 individuals. However, the search revealed over 200 occupants, among whom were at least 30 women.
Additionally, an 11-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl were housed in the same living quarters as adult residents.
The Department of Social Development revealed that occupants were charged a monthly fee of 3,000 rand, which equals roughly $182. Reports indicate that nearly half of these collected funds were directed straight to the church.
In the aftermath of the raid, 14 individuals were hospitalized to receive medical treatment, while 132 others were successfully reunited with their families.
The couple is currently charged with kidnapping, and law enforcement agencies are determining if additional crimes took place. They are scheduled to stand before a court on Monday.
This incident has renewed worries regarding the rising prevalence of unauthorized drug rehabilitation operations throughout South Africa.
Government agencies continue to face difficulties reining in unregistered recovery facilities amid a surge in demand for addiction support services.
In 2025, the Department of Social Development logged over 100 illicit centers functioning across the country, with the largest density located in Gauteng, the province containing Johannesburg.
