Staff at Scientology-backed drug rehab claim wages not paid, blow whistle on dodgy labour practices

Beyond the gilded gates that lead to the pristine grounds of the Narconon Africa Rehabilitation Centre in Rustenburg, North West, an unsuspecting observer would not anticipate that executives at the Church of Scientology-backed rehab have flouted even the most basic labour laws, leaving vulnerable workers penniless and helpless.

“We have not been paid in five weeks, but even before December, we went eight weeks without receiving our salaries. While we beg for peanuts, the people who run this facility are getting paid for the work that we do, but we get nothing,” whistle-blower Nomalady Nekhabambe, a medical liaison officer, told Daily Maverick.

While Narconon SA opened its doors in 2024, many of the workers the publication spoke to, including Nekhabambe, only started working at the facility in August. Since then, all 29 employees have endured late or non-payment of salaries, with wages often delayed far beyond the contractual agreement of weekly payouts every Friday. Management claimed the reason for non-payment was that their salaries depended on the arrival of new clients.

However, a social worker, who asked to remain anonymous, said their contract does not stipulate that their salary is dependent on what the facility terms “new students”.

“We’ve been told outright that we won’t get paid until new students enrol,” they said. “This isn’t just unprofessional, it’s survival at this point.”

Despite being hired as paid employees, staff have reportedly been told they must volunteer their services if there are no new students. Those who question this policy or express dissatisfaction are told: “The gate is open if you want to leave.”

Narconon’s claims of financial distress have raised critical questions for the unpaid workers. A source told Daily Maverick that since opening in January 2024 the facility has hosted about 31 students, each paying R200,000, with one VIP student paying R500,000. Employees told Daily Maverick they are left wondering why these substantial fees do not translate into timely and fair compensation.

Adding insult to injury, Narconon’s executive director, Bethinda Fang, has consistently dismissed them when they ask about their unpaid salaries. “She says she has no tree where she gets money to pay us,” one worker revealed, underscoring the lack of accountability and respect for the workforce.

Allegations of UIF and SARS fraud

Other allegations of unfair practices and intimidation