Warning: This post contains graphic views and contents which may upset readers and viewers.
By chance, I recently stumbled upon the impressive BBC film about money rituals in Africa, which was published late last year. The film is bewildering, terrifying and at the same time admirable. Based on an undercover operation in Sierra Leone, investigative journalist Tyson Conteh explains in the 50-minute film how a ‘money ritual’ works.
The film addresses all facets of murder for ritual purposes: naturally, first and foremost, the superstition regarding the supernatural powers derived from ‘juju’ obtained from human organs, body parts, or whatever else. Furthermore, the unscrupulous, criminal nature of the mastermind, the intermediary, the actual murderer, and the role of the witch doctor or traditional healer is clearly revealed. They are willing to sacrifice the life of an innocent victim for their own ambition or greed.
Tyson Conteh also addresses the impunity with which those responsible for these crimes unfortunately often get away, partly explained by the active involvement in some cases of politicians, traditional authorities, and/or other public figures. A complicating factor is that some well-intentioned African law enforcement officers—policemen—also believe in the power of the ‘juju’ that surrounds these crimes and are cautious or even reluctant in investigating and combating these gruesome acts. The practice of ritual killings hits very close to home for Tyson Conteh, who, along with his team, deserves nothing but praise for this insightful film, when he learns that a close family member has fallen victim to ritual killing. The pain and grief of the victim’s parents and other relatives are deeply relatable and moving.
Finally, it is important to mention that the intermediaries and witch doctors filmed by the investigation team were possibly fraudsters who verbally declared themselves willing to carry out a ritual murder on demand for a substantial sum, with the aim of swindling the client out of their money. Needless to say, the undercover journalist did not let it get that far.
I highly recommend viewing this film.
To access the film, please click here
(webmaster FVDK)
NB: I also paid attention to this film in a previous post dated November 29, 2025, entitled: Ritual murder in Sierra Leone: ‘Murder for black magic’,
