Police in Mpumalanga found about 200 people at an unregistered rehabilitation centre operating from a church in Siyabuswa, Nkangala District, on Thursday, 15 October 2026. Some of the people were reportedly restrained with chains.

The church's pastor and his wife are under investigation. They are presumed innocent, and no court case has been reported. One report says both were arrested; others describe them only as under investigation, so this needs confirming.

What officials say

Police spokesperson Donald Mdhluli said "those responsible will be charged and held accountable" should any contravention of the law be established. He said the circumstances of how the centre was set up and run are under investigation, and that police are gathering information.

According to published coverage, the pastor and his wife initially told officials the centre housed about 60 people; police found more than three times that number. One report says social development officials on routine inspection received a tip-off and asked police for backup. Another says environmental health officials were called after reports of contraventions. Environmental health officials reportedly found violations.

About 30 of those found were women and the rest were men, according to police. Preliminary information suggests some came from Soweto, Springs, Rustenburg and other areas.

Conditions and the Social Development response

Mpumalanga Social Development's Matiwane Nkabinde said the department has been monitoring illegal rehabilitation centres in Nkangala and that such facilities often disguise themselves as churches: "We know about them, but most of them, they camouflage themselves."

Nkabinde raised concerns about the treatment of residents and how the centre was allowed to operate. She questioned how a place housing more than 200 people, some as young as 14, without toilets or water and with people chained, could be considered a church or a healing process. Those are her characterisations; they have not been tested in court. The ages of any children have not been independently confirmed, and no child is identified here.

The department has arranged to transport people home. Nkabinde said the process is slow because relatives must be contacted and confirm they can receive each person.

What we do not yet know

  • The exact number of people found: reports say "over 150", about 200 and "more than 200".
  • Whether anyone has been arrested or charged, and under which laws.
  • How many were children, and whether any needed medical attention.
  • Whether residents were there voluntarily, and whether families paid fees.
  • How long the centre operated, and why earlier monitoring did not close it.
  • Where people came from: reports name different places, including Hazyview and Mamelodi in one.
  • One report says people were "starved" and that both operators were arrested; no other report we reviewed says so. Treat as unconfirmed.