Pastor And Wife Arrested After About 200 People Found Chained At Illegal Mpumalanga Rehab Centre
Approximately 200 people, including minors, have been rescued from an unregistered rehabilitation centre in Waterval B, near Siyabuswa in Mpumalanga, where some were allegedly chained and kept in appalling living conditions.
The discovery was made today, Thursday, 15 October 2026, after officials from the Department of Social Development received a tip-off while conducting inspections in the Nkangala District.
According to police, the facility was operated by a pastor and his wife, who initially claimed to be accommodating far fewer people. However, a search revealed approximately 200 individuals, including around 30 females and children as young as 14.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdluli said the individuals had been brought from different parts of the country, including Soweto, Springs, Rustenburg, Hazyview and Mamelodi.
Authorities found that some residents were chained, while the facility lacked basic necessities such as running water and toilets.
Social Development officials confirmed that the centre was operating without registration, while environmental health inspectors identified several violations.
Officials are now working to reunite the affected individuals with their families, although the process is expected to take time because they come from different provinces.
Meanwhile, police are investigating the facility’s operations and whether criminal offences were committed. There are also allegations that the centre collected more than R200,000 in monthly fees.
Authorities have raised concerns about unregistered rehabilitation centres operating under the guise of churches or places of healing.