Traditional healer jailed for life over ‘cleansing’ rape

Zuko Komisa

A Limpopo traditional healer has been sentenced to life imprisonment plus 10 years for raping and sexually assaulting two minor girls.
The 39-year-old man from Mokgaladi village used his position of trust to commit the crimes under the guise of a “cleansing” ritual.
The National Prosecuting Authority has welcomed the sentence, reaffirming its commitment to prosecuting sexual violence cases with resolve.

A Limpopo traditional healer has been sentenced to life imprisonment plus 10 years for the rape and sexual assault of two young girls, following a horrific crime disguised as a “cleansing” ritual.

The 39-year-old man from Mokgaladi village was handed the sentence by the Nebo Regional Court after being found guilty of exploiting the trust of a family to commit the heinous acts. The victims, aged 14 and 16, were subjected to the abuse on 10 February 2024.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the traditional healer went to the victims’ home and told their mother that her daughters were possessed by evil spirits and needed to be cleansed. He then sent the mother to fetch water, using her absence to commit the crimes.

“He instructed the 16-year-old victim to lie on a mat, where he raped her, stopping only when he heard the mother’s footsteps,” said NPA regional spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi.

He also sexually assaulted the 14-year-old girl by “touching her inappropriately during the so-called ritual.”

Despite pleading not guilty, the court found him guilty of the charges of rape and sexual assault. The NPA has praised the sentence, describing it as a victory for justice and reaffirming its commitment to prosecuting cases of sexual violence with unwavering resolve.

“Sexual violence violates the constitutional rights to dignity and privacy. The NPA remains steadfast in prosecuting such cases with unwavering resolve,” said Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Ivy Thenga.