Bulawayo Rehab Centre Owner Accused Of Raping And Abusing Patients As Police Hunt Intensifies

Police in Bulawayo are hunting for a rehabilitation centre owner accused of sexually abusing, assaulting, and psychologically tormenting patients at a privately-run facility in Emganwini, in a case that has shocked Zimbabweans and raised serious concerns over the regulation of rehabilitation centres.

Norris Pikanegore, 46, who operated Habits Experts Rehab Centre, is alleged to have abused as many as 30 patients at the facility before reportedly fleeing following police investigations.

According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, investigators are handling multiple allegations involving indecent assault, rape, and physical abuse involving complainants aged between 17 and 47.

The allegations surfaced after a female patient reportedly escaped from a late-night ordeal and alerted relatives about the alleged abuse taking place at the rehabilitation centre. The woman claimed she had been taken from the Emganwini facility to the Pelandaba suburb around midnight under suspicious circumstances before managing to flee and seek help. Her testimony, first shared publicly by veteran journalist Ezra Tshisa Sibanda on Facebook, reportedly prompted dozens of additional victims and former patients to come forward with similar allegations.

In an official statement, Assistant Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu confirmed that police were investigating multiple cases linked to the suspect.

“On different occasions during the month of April 2026, the accused person would indecently assault the complainants and further assault others using a button stick and threaten them not to disclose the ordeal to anyone,” Ndlovu said.

Several former patients described disturbing patterns of alleged abuse, intimidation, and humiliation at the centre. One teenage girl reportedly told investigators that patients were allegedly woken up during the night and subjected to degrading treatment.

“He would wake us up around 2AM while sleeping, beat us, and force us to twerk and dance for him while we were naked,” she alleged.

Male patients also reported alleged sexual misconduct and abuse. One former patient claimed the suspect allegedly forced male residents into humiliating acts while watching them. Authorities say the allegations point to prolonged psychological, physical, and sexual abuse inside what was supposed to be a rehabilitation and recovery facility.

Following the growing complaints, police raided the Habits Experts Rehab Centre premises in Emganwini but reportedly found the facility abandoned. Investigators believe Pikanegore allegedly moved patients to a house in Cowdray Park in an attempt to evade law enforcement detection. A joint operation involving Nkulumane and Cowdray Park police later located 21 patients living at the suburban property. Police officers recorded statements at the scene while several patients were reunited with their families. Authorities said some individuals remained stranded because they had no contact information for relatives.

The facility is also facing allegations of operating without qualified medical or mental health professionals. Former patients and police sources claim drugs and alcohol were allegedly accessible on the premises despite the centre presenting itself as a rehabilitation institution.

Mental health advocates say the case exposes major gaps in oversight and regulation within Zimbabwe’s growing private rehabilitation sector.

Healthcare analyst Dr Nomusa Dube said vulnerable patients seeking addiction treatment often face exploitation when facilities operate without proper licensing or professional supervision.

“Rehabilitation centres deal with highly vulnerable people who require medical, psychological and emotional protection. Stronger regulation and inspections are urgently needed,” she said.

Police believe the suspect may have fled to Zambia. Authorities are appealing to members of the public with information leading to his arrest to contact Nkulumane Police or the nearest police station.

Bulawayo rehab centre abuse