Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
THE Emganwini illegal rehabilitation centre scandal in Bulawayo has taken a new twist, with residents alleging they were threatened, assaulted and silenced by the owner and his associates when they resisted the establishment of the controversial facility in their neighbourhood.
The centre, known as Habits Experts Rehab Centre and allegedly owned by Norris Pikanegore (46), who is now on the run, is at the centre of serious allegations involving rape, physical abuse, emotional torture and unlawful confinement of more than 30 victims recovering from drug and substance abuse.
The facility also reportedly operated as a hair care and beauty therapy training centre.
Patients allegedly paid US$150 for drug assessment blood tests that were never conducted, while families forked out US$400 monthly for what was presented as rehabilitation treatment.
The shocking allegations came to light after a teenage girl escaped from the centre two weeks ago and exposed what she described as horrific abuse suffered by 31 inmates — 13 females and 18 males aged between 16 and 65.
She alleged that inmates were kept under lock and key like prisoners, while girls were allegedly sexually abused and pimped out to businessmen in the city.
“He would arrive at the centre, strip and instruct us to massage him, then he would take one of the girls into a bedroom and abuse her,” alleged the teenager, referring to Pikanegore.
Families also accused the suspect of isolating patients from relatives under the guise of treatment.
“He said my child had lost her phone and I could not speak to her for more than seven months,” said one parent whose daughter was enrolled for hairdressing lessons at the facility.
Residents from Emganwini and surrounding suburbs told Sunday News that they had long raised concerns over suspicious activities at the premises, but their efforts to stop the operations were allegedly met with intimidation and violence.
“We tried to stop it from operating here because we suspected something was wrong. But some of us were threatened and even assaulted. We were told to keep quiet,” said a resident who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals.
Another resident claimed complaints about suspicious activities at the premises were ignored, allowing the centre to continue operating unchecked.
Following the teenager’s escape, more than 30 alleged victims, including former patients and beauty therapy students, have reportedly come forward with chilling testimonies narrating harrowing takes inside the facility.
One woman alleged she was sexually abused and threatened into silence, while another claimed she was repeatedly beaten with a stick, leaving her with permanent scars.
A teenage girl alleged inmates were routinely subjected to degrading treatment.
“He would wake us up around 2am, beat us and force us to dance naked. After that, he would take some of the girls to his room,” she alleged.
Some girls further claimed that abortions were arranged for those who fell pregnant.
Male inmates also alleged degrading treatment, claiming they were subjected to humiliating acts of forced masturbation and abuse.
Former inmates said the facility allegedly operated without qualified medical or mental health professionals, while drugs and alcohol were reportedly accessible within the premises despite it being presented as a rehabilitation centre.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Child Care confirmed that the facility was not registered.
“It is not licensed to operate as a health facility or rehabilitation centre. We urge the public to verify the accreditation of all health centres before admission of patients,” read the statement.
The revelations triggered a police raid at the Emganwini premises, but officers reportedly found the centre deserted.
Investigations later led police to a house in Cowdray Park, where 21 patients believed to have been relocated from the original site were found crammed under unclear circumstances.
Some have since been reunited with their families, while efforts continue to trace relatives of others.
Bulawayo deputy provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu confirmed that police are investigating cases of rape, indecent assault and physical assault involving inmates aged between 17 and 47.
“On different occasions during the month of April this year, the suspect, who is now on the run, would indecently assault the complainants and further assault others using a baton stick, while threatening them not to disclose the ordeal to anyone,” she said.
Asst Insp Ndlovu said the complainants were inmates at the rehabilitation facility and the alleged abuses occurred over a prolonged period under coercion and intimidation.
She said the matter surfaced while police were already pursuing Pikanegore in connection with another rape case.
“Police tracked a house in Cowdray Park where the inmates had been relocated from Emganwini. Upon interviewing them to establish possible abuses and violations, the complainants disclosed the matter,” she said.
Police have since launched a manhunt for Pikanegore, who is suspected to have fled to Zambia.
