Patients in chains rescued from suspected illegal rehab centre in South Africa
Some of the 200 patients were found with "sores all over their bodies" and in overcrowded rooms.
Patients in chains freed from suspected illegal rehab centre in South Africa
Officials found "gross inhuman conditions" during a raid on the centre
A pastor and his wife have been arrested in South Africa after 200 people, some of them in chains, were discovered at a suspected illegal rehabilitation centre in the north-eastern part of the country.
The facility, run from a church in Mpumalanga province, was uncovered during an operation by officials in the area on Thursday.
Authorities said they found "gross inhumane conditions" when they raided the facility, with some patients discovered with "sores all over their bodies" and "others chained to each other".
Police have since charged the couple, who were operating the facility, with kidnapping, but more charges could be added. They have not yet commented.
Illegal rehabilitation centres have proliferated in South Africa in recent years as drug use rises in the country.
Last year, the department of social development said it had uncovered more than 100 unlawful facilities operating across the country, mostly in Gauteng province.
The department said in a statement on Friday that this is where some of those found at this facility come from.
Two minors were among the 200 people found living in crowded rooms at the facility
The couple running the centre told officials they were housing 60 people, but when the site was inspected, a larger number was found, including two minors and 30 women.
The group was found in crowded rooms and without access to working bathrooms or running water.
"Some [of them had] been at the alleged illegal centre for a while," the department said.
The couple charged a monthly fee of 3,000 rand ($182; £137) to house the patients, nearly half of which would go to the church.
Police said 14 of those found at the centre have since been taken to hospital for further medical treatment.
The couple is expected to appear in a local court on Monday.