A man was discovered by police this morning chained to a wall in an outbuilding in Steadville. The man had limited movement, with a chain around his leg and secured to a nearby wall.

When police entered the premises, they found him just sitting in the middle of the floor. He had no access to water or food.

Speaking to the Ladysmith Gazette, family of the chained man told of their exasperation at the state mental health system.

“He is not only dangerous to us, he chases people around the area and threatens to kill them,” explained a family member who asked not to be named.  The family has resorted to using traditional methods, including ‘muti’, to treat him.

“When we take him to hospital, they keep him for a while and then release him, and we end up having to deal with him. We keep him locked up for his and the community’s safety.”

The family is baffled how the state mental health system allows the young man, who cannot look after himself and is a clear danger to others, to be released. He has been to countless mental hospitals, but is always released.

“We are forced to use traditional methods because the state has failed him.”

After looking at the hospital paperwork supplied by the family, police left the scene without freeing the man.