Pastor and Wife Arrested After 200 Hostages Found in Mpumalanga Church A pastor and his wife were arrested after about 200 people were found living in grossly inhumane conditions at a church in Siyabuswa, Mpumalanga. The couple face kidnapping and other charges. A pastor and his wife have been arrested in Mpumalanga, South Africa, after approximately 200 people, including children, were found living in grossly inhumane conditions at a church in Waterval B, Siyabuswa. The 59-year-old man and his 58-year-old wife were arrested on Friday morning, 16 October 2026, on suspicion of kidnapping and running an illegal rehabilitation centre. The discovery was made on Thursday, 15 October 2026, during an operation by officials from the Department of Social Development in the Nkangala District, who were inspecting illegal rehabilitation centres. They requested assistance from the South African Police Service after finding the alleged hostages, some of whom were chained to one another.Police said 14 people were taken for medical treatment, while the couple were taken in for questioning. They are expected to appear at the Mdutjana magistrates' court in Siyabuswa on Monday.Arrests Follow Inspection of Illegal Rehabilitation CentreAccording to a police statement, the arrests stem from an operation conducted on Thursday, 15 October 2026, at the premises in Waterval B. Preliminary investigations suggest the property was being operated as a rehabilitation centre without the required registration authorisation.The couple allegedly told health officials they had 60 people in their charge, but investigators discovered more than 200 at the property. The suspects currently face charges of kidnapping, contravention of section 19(1) read with section 19(13) of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, Act 70 of 2008, establishment and management of an unregistered treatment centre, and failure to comply with health and safety standards in terms of applicable environmental health by-laws and the National Health Act.Police spokesman said the couple was running the facility without the required registration authorisation and was accommodating approximately 200 people on the property. He added that police worked at the property today to ensure that no stone is left unturned.Grossly Inhumane Conditions Discovered at ChurchHealth officials who inspected the church found 200 alleged hostages crammed into rooms meant for only 60 people, describing the conditions as grossly inhumane. More than 30 of the alleged hostages were women, and the rest were men aged 22 and over, with an 11-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl among them.A number of people were found chained to one another. According to local media, officers found the alleged hostages living in overcrowded rooms with a lack of ablution facilities and water taps that had been locked. Officials said some of the alleged hostages had sores on their bodies. They also found 37 people sharing a single room.Those living at the property reportedly paid a R3000 monthly fee to the alleged illegal rehabilitation centre.Investigation Continues as Further Arrests PossibleThe police spokesman said officers could not rule out further arrests as the investigation continues. Additional charges against the pastor and his wife could possibly follow.The couple remains in custody and is expected to appear in court on Monday. The South African Police Service has urged anyone with information to come forward as they continue to ensure that no stone is left unturned.