REHAB OF HORRORS! - Bulawayo runaway 'therapist' accused of rape, torture, pimping girls to bigwigs

What was sold to desperate families as a rehabilitation centre in Bulawayo has allegedly been exposed as a shocking house of abuse where patients were beaten, humiliated, sexually abused and allegedly pimped out to wealthy businessmen and prominent politicians.

Police are hunting for Noris Pikanegore (46), director of Habits Complex Rehabilitation Centre in Emganwini, after a 17-year-old girl escaped and reported horrifying allegations of rape and torture.

The centre, now confirmed illegal by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, allegedly operated from a cramped house where 31 people, including teenagers and elderly patients, were forced to sleep in a single sitting room divided by curtains.

Families reportedly paid US$400 per admission and another US$150 for so-called "drug assessment tests" that were allegedly never conducted.

Former residents described a terrifying daily ritual called "Spoko Night" where patients were allegedly forced to stay awake from 2AM dancing, marching naked, twerking and performing degrading acts while loud music blasted through the house.

Those who resisted were allegedly beaten with a metal rod nicknamed the "button stick", which police later recovered during a raid.

"He said we were not supposed to feel pain because he was the only person allowed to have feelings," said one victim.
Several former patients showed scars on their backs and buttocks allegedly caused by repeated assaults.

The escaped 17-year-old girl told police she was called into Pikanegore's room late at night after another girl said "Sir Piks" wanted to see her.

"He locked the door and told me to get into bed," she said.

The teenager alleged she was raped until early morning and threatened into silence.

Another chilling allegation claims girls at the centre were pimped out to businessmen around the city, including two prominent politicians.

One victim said she narrowly escaped after being taken to Bulawayo's Pelandaba suburb, where she believed she was being delivered to a client.

"I opened the car door and ran," she said.

Residents also alleged that women became pregnant at the centre due to sexual abuse and relationships secretly happening inside the overcrowded premises.

The Ministry of Health confirmed the centre was never licensed to operate as a rehabilitation facility.

Meanwhile, police say Pikanegore vanished after the first report was made and is believed to have fled to Zambia after dumping patients at another house in Cowdray Park.

He is wanted on multiple charges, including rape, assault, extortion and operating an illegal health facility, while traumatised victims continue receiving counselling.