Two people arrested after authorities raided an alleged illegal drug rehabilitation facility in Siyabuswa have been released on bail. Fifty-nine-year-old Sakia Thabo Sepato and his 58-year-old wife, Paulina Sepato, were each granted bail of R1 000 when they appeared in the Mdutjana Magistrate’s Court on 19 October 2026.
Large number of residents found in poor conditions
The raid, carried out on 15 October 2026, was part of a wider operation targeting illegal rehabilitation centres in the Nkangala district. Officials from the Department of Social Development led the swoop at a property in Waterval B, where police later said they found about 200 people living on the premises. The occupants were reported to have come from various provinces, including Gauteng and North West.
Police and social-development officials said some residents were allegedly restrained with crude leg irons — chains secured with padlocks — and that conditions on the property were extremely poor. At least 14 people were taken to hospital because of their ill health following the discovery.
“The third person didn’t appear… his case was withdrawn,”
The third person arrested during the operation was released without charge, Mpumalanga Police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said. According to police, the two suspects are due to appear in court again on 26 November 2026.
Allegations of an unregistered facility
Authorities allege the Sepatos operated an unregistered drug rehabilitation centre. An unregistered facility would not be subject to the regulatory or oversight frameworks that govern care, treatment and the safeguarding of residents. The Department of Social Development in the Nkangala District was part of the enforcement action, reflecting concerns about compliance and the welfare of those housed at the site.
Immediate and broader implications
The discovery raises multiple issues for local authorities and communities: the welfare and medical needs of people removed from the premises; potential criminal charges and regulatory enforcement; and the capacity of licensed services to absorb vulnerable people in need of treatment.
- Number of people found: about 200
- Hospitalised: at least 14
- Defendants released on bail: R1 000 each
- Next court date: 26 November 2026
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Waterval B, Siyabuswa (Nkangala district) |
| People found | About 200 (from Gauteng, North West and other areas) |
| Hospitalised | At least 14 |
| Accused | Sakia Thabo Sepato (59) and Paulina Sepato (58) |
Welfare follow-up and what residents need to know
The operation highlights the need for clear referral pathways and support for people removed from unregulated facilities. Local health and social services must determine immediate care needs, including medical treatment, mental-health support and longer-term rehabilitation options within accredited centres.
Residents and families concerned about relatives who may have been at the Waterval B property should contact the Nkangala district office of the Department of Social Development or the local SAPS station in Siyabuswa for information on tracing and referral. Where people require urgent medical attention, they should be taken to the nearest public hospital or clinic.
Legal and regulatory context
Rehabilitation centres are required to register and comply with regulations that ensure minimum standards of care, staff qualifications, record-keeping and the protection of residents’ rights. Operating without registration can expose operators to criminal charges and civil scrutiny as well as endangering the vulnerable people they purport to serve.
Police and social-development investigators will continue to compile evidence ahead of the next court appearance. The case also underscores wider challenges in the province: the demand for substance-use treatment services and the need for accessible, properly regulated facilities across Mpumalanga.
Local authorities have not provided further details on the long-term placement of those removed from the premises. The community and service providers will be watching the court process and the response of provincial authorities as they work to address both the immediate humanitarian needs and the regulatory failures exposed by the raid.
Reported from Siyabuswa.
