The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mpumalanga calls on the law enforcement authorities and the MEC of Social Development, Brenda Moeketsi, to act against an unregistered rehabilitation center in eMalahleni Local Municipality after the death of a 31-year-old man in that facility.
According to information received, the South African Police Services (SAPS) from eMalahleni visited the rehabilitation centre on Thursday last week where they found the 31-year-old man dead at this centre situated outside eMalahleni on a farm. The man’s feet were chained so that he couldn’t run away, but he did try. According to reports, three guards in the centre allegedly beat the 31-year-old to death on Wednesday with baton and fists, but the matter was only reported on Thursday. The three alleged suspects were fortunately arrested.
While doing an oversight visit to the center on Friday, the DA was informed that an unnamed Pastor from Middelburg opened the rehabilitation center in December 2023 after getting permission from the farm owner to use the vacant buildings in his farm. To his amazement, the farm owner realized later that the Pastor was already operating the rehab center without registering it with the Department of Social Development. The farm owner told the DA that he was not aware of the fact that the rehab center was open as there was still much construction to take place.
“In our inspection, the DA found shocking living conditions,” said Annerie Weber: MPL – DA Spokesperson for Social Development: Mpumalanga Province, “and it was clear that the institution was still under construction and not conducive for anyone to live there yet. We found the following conditions:
- Rooms that were without roofs;
- The bathroom was a separate room with only one portable toilet in it;
- All 28 residents, male and female, had to use the one toilet. When the toilet is full, it must be carried out into the field and emptied on the grass;
- There are no showers or bath facilities;
- Patients are chained to avoid escape;
- Every patient had to make and prepare their own food;
- We also found out that the police left behind the baton that had allegedly been used to beat the man to death (leaving behind evidence).“
According to some sources on the farm, the Pastor from Middelburg had another rehabilitation center situated in Doornkop, outside Middelburg, which was closed in April 2024 due to inhumane conditions. It is alleged that in that Doornkop rehab center, patients were also chained so that they could not run away.
The DA will write an official letter to both the MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, and the MEC Moeketsi (Social Development) to execute a thorough investigation into the history of the Pastor and all the rehabilitation centers that he is running. The DA will also request them to visit all rehabilitation centers across the province to investigate if they are compliant or not. We need to take care of all our people, especially those that do need help. Addiction cannot be treated with disrespect and inhumane practices. The DA will keep a close eye on the progression of this case to make sure that justice is served.
