Cape Town – The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development has shut down the Tetelestai Recovery Centre in Winklespruit, south of Durban, following the deaths of two patients and growing allegations of abuse.
According to The Citizen, the centre, which had been operating under conditional registration, was ordered to close immediately after an investigation found it had failed to comply with key health and safety standards.
The department confirmed that Tetelestai’s registration had been cancelled and that it is no longer permitted to admit or treat patients.
The closure follows the deaths of two men earlier this year — 32-year-old Luke Edwards, whose body was found near the facility in April, and another patient who reportedly took his own life less than two weeks later. Both cases sparked public outrage and intensified scrutiny of the centre’s management practices.
As reported by The Witness, four men were arrested in connection with Edwards’ death but were later released on bail. The Edwards family maintains that their son was assaulted while in the centre’s care, a claim supported by a private investigator working with them. The centre, however, has denied the allegations, insisting it followed proper rehabilitation protocols.
Tetelestai’s management, through its attorney, stated that the deaths were unrelated to staff conduct and claimed that violent incidents between patients were beyond their control. They also denied ever receiving government funding for patient care and maintained that detoxification processes were medically supervised.
KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga welcomed the decision to shut down the facility, saying the move was meant to protect vulnerable individuals.
“We will not tolerate facilities that disregard the rights and lives of patients who come seeking help. This decision should serve as a warning to others,” she said.
The department has imposed a three-month closure period on Tetelestai, during which it is prohibited from operating or readmitting any former clients. Police have confirmed that investigations into the deaths and the centre’s operations are ongoing.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
