South African officials found 200 people, some in chains, at a suspected illegal rehabilitation centre operating from a church in Mpumalanga province.

A pastor and his wife, who ran the facility, have been charged with kidnapping, police said. Officials discovered the centre during an operation on Thursday. The couple had told them it housed 60 people, but inspectors found 200, including two minors and 30 women. The couple have not yet commented.

Patients were living in crowded rooms without running water or working bathrooms. Some had sores, authorities said. Police said 14 people had been taken to hospital for further treatment. The couple are expected to appear in a local court on Monday, and further charges could follow.