SIYABUSWA — A 59-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman have been arrested after approximately 200 people were found at an alleged unregistered rehabilitation facility operating from church premises in Waterval B, Siyabuswa.
The arrests followed a multi-agency operation on Thursday, 15 October 2026, involving the Mpumalanga Department of Social Development, environmental health officials and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
According to the department, the pastor and his wife initially told officials they were accommodating about 60 people. However, an inspection reportedly found approximately 200 residents, including more than 30 women, an 11-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl.
Some residents had reportedly travelled from Rustenburg, Soweto, Springs, Mamelodi and other areas.
Officials raised concerns about overcrowded rooms, inadequate ablution facilities and locked water taps. One room reportedly accommodated 37 people, while some residents had sores. Allegations also emerged that some residents had been chained together.
Gift Skhosana, who said he spent seven months at the facility, described his experience as inhumane.
Speaking to the Highveld Chronicle, Skhosana said he and his family had agreed that he should seek help for drug use after hearing about the facility, unaware of the conditions inside.
“I was admitted for using drugs. My family and I agreed that it was the best thing for me to do because we had been hearing about this place, but we had no idea what was going on there,” he said.
Skhosana alleged that residents endured poor conditions and that some were chained as part of practices the operators believed would help people detoxify.
“What I experienced was inhumane,” he said.
He added that although he had access to a bedroom and received food, breakfast was frequently missed.
Comfort Ngobe, from the department's Communication Directorate, confirmed that the facility was not registered to provide substance-abuse rehabilitation services under the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008.
Ngobe said the operators had presented the premises as a church where they prayed for people experiencing witchcraft-related and other spiritual concerns.
He said accommodating more than 150 people in one yard also raised concerns about water supply, environmental health requirements and municipal by-laws.
The department further alleged that residents paid R3,000 a month, while people who brought them to the facility, described as “scouters”, received R1,300 per person monthly through an arrangement involving the church.
Following the operation, officials profiled residents and arranged transport to help them reach safe destinations after contacting parents or caregivers. Ngobe said at least four minibus taxis were procured to assist.
The department said 11 people showing signs of mental-health challenges were admitted to Mmametlhake Hospital for assessment and care.
At least 15 others required temporary shelter after their parents or guardians could not be located. Some residents came from North West, Limpopo and Vosloorus.
Police separately confirmed that 14 people were taken for medical treatment during Thursday night's operation. It remains unclear whether they were among those later reported by the department as having been admitted to hospital.
In a statement issued on Friday, 16 October, the SAPS Office of the Provincial Commissioner confirmed that the couple had been arrested that morning.
They face charges including kidnapping, operating an unregistered treatment centre in contravention of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008, and failing to comply with applicable environmental health and safety requirements.
Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise has assembled experienced detectives and specialised units to investigate the matter.
Police said further arrests and additional charges were possible.
The couple is expected to appear in the Mdutjana Magistrate's Court in Siyabuswa on Monday, 19 October 2026.
