Siyabuswa – The middle-aged couple arrested for running an illegal drug rehabilitation centre, where about 200 people, some of them chained, were found in dire living conditions, have been released on bail.
Fifty-nine-year-old Sakia Thabo Sepato and his 58-year-old wife Paulina Sepato were arrested on Thursday, 15 October 2026, after authorities swooped on their property at Waterval B in Siyabuswa, Mpumalanga.
The swoop, targeting illegal rehabilitation centres, involved officials from the Department of Social Development in the Nkangala District.
Police found about 200 people crammed in the premises. They were from various places, including Gauteng and North West.
Some of them were shackled in crude leg irons – chains secured with padlocks. At least 14 were in such poor health that they were taken to hospital.
Earlier today, the couple appeared in the Mdutjana Magistrate’s Court in Siyabuswa on Monday, 19 October 2026, where they were each granted bail of R1 000.
Allegations were that the pair operated an unregistered drug rehabilitation centre.
Mpumalanga Police Spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said the third person arrested in connection with the illegal drug rehab was freed without charge.
“The third person didn’t appear… his case was withdrawn,”’ Brigadier Mdhluli said.
“The two suspects are expected to appear in court again on 26 November 2026.”
