South African officials found 200 people, some in chains, at a suspected illegal rehabilitation centre operating from a church in Mpumalanga province. Police have charged the pastor and his wife, who ran the facility, with kidnapping.
The centre was discovered during an operation on Thursday. Authorities said people were living in crowded rooms without running water or working bathrooms; some had sores across their bodies. Two minors and 30 women were among those found. The couple had told officials they were housing 60 people.
Police said 14 people have been taken to hospital for further treatment. Additional charges could follow, and the couple are expected in a local court on Monday. They have not yet commented.
South Africa’s social development department said last year it had identified more than 100 unlawful rehabilitation facilities nationwide, most of them in Gauteng province. The department said some people found at the Mpumalanga centre came from Gauteng.
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