The e.tv television programme 3rd Degree's publicists say the show will next week investigate horrifying allegations of torture at unregistered drug rehabilitation centres in Cape Town.

The programme is to be aired at 8pm next Tuesday.

"We heard stories of recovering addicts strapped down with horse shackles whose feet were beaten repeatedly with a belt," the show's publicists said in a news release on Thursday.

"One young man describes how he received 200 lashes and then had to crawl around on his hands and knees because he was in such pain."

"Despite the fact that his feet were septic and swollen, he received no medical care."

The old Islamic custom of Falaqa was being meted out as punishment for addicts who broke the rules at these centres, despite the Muslim Judicial Council saying the practice was unacceptable.

"We went inside some of these rehabs, to find out what exactly goes on there."

"While the directors we spoke to deny that Falaqa is being used, the evidence is overwhelming: witnesses and victims have come forward to tell us their stories — and show us their scars."

The Department of Social Development said it was investigating but so far, no centres had been shut down.

"Drug use among the youth in the Western Cape is out of control."

"Parents are desperate and don't know where to turn."

Established drug rehabs were expensive and state facilities were difficult to get into at short notice, so families were turning to unorthodox methods in search of a cure.

Sapa