Police in Haenertsburg, in central Limpopo, have arrested five men aged between 25 and 35 after a 22-year-old patient was allegedly beaten to death at an unregistered rehabilitation centre in Spitskop Village, Ga Mamabolo, close to Polokwane. The victim and four others had escaped on 3 November before being tracked down by a security officer and taken back to the facility, where they were allegedly assaulted.

The young man died on the scene and the four survivors were taken to hospital with serious injuries. A joint operation on 12 November led to the arrests on charges of murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The suspects are expected to appear in the Tzaneen Magistrate Court, while police say the clampdown on illegal rehabilitation centres in Limpopo will continue.