Belief in witchcraft is prevalent in all walks of life – but that doesn’t mean that everyone believes in witchcraft.
An old law has been dusted off, the Witchcraft Act of 1914, to prosecute the accused. (webmaster FVDK)
Men jailed for witchcraft murder plot against Zambia’s president Hakainde Hichilema
Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema says he does not believe in witchcraft
Published: September 15, 2025 By: Kennedy Gondwe, Lusaka – BBC
A court in Zambia has sentenced two men to two years in prison for attempting to use witchcraft to kill President Hakainde Hichilema.
Zambian Leonard Phiri and Mozambican Jasten Mabulesse Candunde were convicted under the Witchcraft Act after being arrested in December with charms in their possession, including a live chameleon.
“It is my considered view that the convicts were not only the enemy of the head of state but were also enemies of all Zambians,” magistrate Fine Mayambu said in his ruling.
The case has been closely followed in Zambia, as this was the first time anyone was put on trial for attempting to use witchcraft against a president.
The prosecution alleged that Phiri and Candunde were hired by a fugitive former MP to bewitch Hichilema.
Despite their insistence that they were bona fide traditional healers, the court found them guilty on two counts under the Witchcraft Act.
“The two accepted ownership of the charms. Phiri further demonstrated that the chameleon’s tail, once pricked and used in the ritual, would cause death to occur within five days,” Magistrate Mayambu said.
The lawyer for the two men, Agrippa Malando, said his clients pleaded for leniency as they were first-time offenders.
He urged the court to fine them, but the request was rejected.
Magistrate Mayambu noted that many people in Zambia, like in other African countries, believed in witchcraft, even though it was not scientifically proven.
The law was designed to protect society from fear and harm caused by those claiming to have the power to carry out acts of witchcraft, he said.
“The question is not whether the accused are wizards or actually possess supernatural powers. It is whether they represented themselves as such, and the evidence clearly shows they did,” Magistrate Mayambu said.
In addition to the two-year sentence they were given for “professing” witchcraft, the men were sentenced to six months in prison for possessing charms.
As the sentences will run concurrently, they will serve only two years in prison, effective from the date of their arrest in December 2024.
Hichilema has previously said he does not believe in witchcraft. He has not commented on the case.
Lawyer Dickson Jere told the BBC that the Witchcraft Act was passed during colonial rule in 1914.
He said people were “very rarely” prosecuted for practising witchcraft, but it helped protect elderly women who faced mob justice in villages after being accused of bewitching someone and causing their death.
Witchcraft has also featured prominently in conversations over the protracted dispute between the government and the family of the late President Edgar Lungu over his funeral.
Some people believe that the government’s insistence that he should be buried in Zambia, contrary to his family’s wishes, may be for “occult reasons”.
The government has denied the accusation.
Lungu died in South Africa in June, and his body is still in a morgue there because of the failure to reach agreement over his burial.
A Zambian court has sentenced two men to two years in prison for attempting to use witchcraft to kill the president. Hakainde Hichilema. The Zambian Leonard Phiri and Mozambican Jasten Mabulesse Candunde They were convicted under the Witchcraft Act after being arrested in December while in possession of amulets, including a live chameleon.
“I firmly believe that the convicts were not only enemies of the head of state, but also enemies of all Zambians,” the magistrate said. End of Mayambu in his ruling. The case was closely followed in Zambia, as it was the first time anyone was tried for attempting to use witchcraft against a president. The prosecution alleged that Phiri and Candunde were hired by a fugitive former parliamentarian to bewitch Hichilema.
Despite their insistence that they were authentic traditional healers, the court found Phiri and Candunde guilty of two counts under the Witchcraft Act. “The two accepted ownership of the amulets. Phiri also demonstrated that the chameleon’s tail, once stung and used in the ritual, would cause death within five days,” Magistrate Mayambu said in reading the sentence.
The lawyer of the two men, Agrippa Malando, He said his clients requested leniency since it was their first offense and asked the court to fine them, but the request was denied. Magistrate Mayambu noted that many people in Zambia, as in other African countries, believe in witchcraft, even if it is not scientifically proven. The law was designed to protect society from the fear and harm caused by those who claim to have the power to perform acts of witchcraft, he said. “The question is not whether the defendants are magicians or actually possess supernatural powers. The question is whether they presented themselves as such, and the evidence clearly shows that they do,” the magistrate stated. In addition to the two-year sentence for “professing” witchcraft, the men were sentenced to six months in prison for possession of talismans. Because the sentences will run concurrently, the two will only serve two years in prison, starting from the date of their arrest in December 2024.
Witchcraft has also been at the centre of discussions surrounding the long-running dispute between the government and the family of the late president. Edgar Lungu regarding his funeral. Some believe the government’s insistence that he be buried in Zambia, contrary to his family’s wishes, may have been motivated by “hidden motives.” The government, however, has denied these accusations. Lungu died in South Africa in June, and his body remains in a morgue there because no agreement on his burial has been reached.
Two Convicted In Alleged Witchcraft Plot To Kill President Hichilema
A court in Zambia has sentenced two men to two years in prison for attempting to use witchcraft to kill President Hakainde Hichilema. The men, Leonard Phiri from Zambia and Jasten Mabulesse Candunde from Mozambique, were convicted under the Witchcraft Act after being found with charms, including a live chameleon.
Court ruling
Magistrate Fine Mayambu delivered a strong ruling in Lusaka, saying the pair posed a threat not only to the president but also to the nation.
He declared:
“It is my considered view that the convicts were not only the enemy of the head of state but were also enemies of all Zambians.”
The men were sentenced to two years with hard labour, though their sentences will run concurrently, meaning they will serve two years effective from their arrest in December 2024.
Phiri, identified as a village chief, and Candunde claimed to be traditional healers. However, evidence presented in court showed they accepted ownership of the charms.
Magistrate Mayambu noted:
“Phiri further demonstrated that the chameleon’s tail, once pricked and used in the ritual, would cause death to occur within five days.”
Prosecution’s case
The prosecution argued the two men had been hired to target President Hichilema. According to reports from The Guardian on 15 September 2025, authorities said they were discovered after a cleaner reported “strange noises”. They were later found in possession of a live chameleon, red cloth, white powder, and an animal’s tail.
Prosecutors alleged that the hiring was linked to Emmanuel “Jay Jay” Banda, an opposition MP facing trial for robbery, attempted murder, and escaping custody. His brother was named as the one who hired Phiri and Candunde.
Despite their lawyer, Agrippa Malando, pleading for leniency and suggesting a fine, the court rejected the request. Magistrate Mayambu said the law existed to protect society from fear and harm caused by people claiming to have supernatural powers.
He explained:
“The question is not whether the accused are wizards or actually possess supernatural powers. It is whether they represented themselves as such, and the evidence clearly shows they did.”
Wider context
The case has attracted significant attention as it is the first recorded trial in Zambia for attempting to use witchcraft against a sitting president.
President Hichilema, who has publicly stated that he does not believe in witchcraft, has not commented on the matter. In August 2025, he told journalist Martine Dennis on the Africa Here & Now podcast:
“Personally I don’t believe in witchcraft, never believed in witchcraft, as a person, as a family, as a Christian.”
The Witchcraft Act, introduced in 1914 during British colonial rule, rarely leads to prosecutions. Lawyer Dickson Jere told the BBC on 15 September 2025 that the law has historically been used to protect vulnerable people, particularly elderly women accused of bewitching others.
The ruling comes at a time of political tension in Zambia, with accusations of witchcraft also surfacing in disputes over the burial of former president Edgar Lungu, who died in South Africa in June 2025.
A court in Zambia has sentenced two men to two years in prison for attempting to use witchcraft to kill President Hakainde Hichilema.
According to the BBC, Zambian national Leonard Phiri and Mozambican Jasten Mabulesse Candunde were convicted under the Witchcraft Act after being arrested in December with charms, including a live chameleon.
“It is my considered view that the convicts were not only the enemy of the head of state but were also enemies of all Zambians,” magistrate Fine Mayambu said in his ruling.
The case has attracted wide attention as it is the first time anyone has been tried for attempting to use witchcraft against a president in Zambia. Prosecutors said Phiri and Candunde were hired by a fugitive former MP to bewitch Hichilema.
The men claimed they were traditional healers, but the court found them guilty on two counts under the Witchcraft Act.
“The two accepted ownership of the charms. Phiri further demonstrated that the chameleon’s tail, once pricked and used in the ritual, would cause death to occur within five days,” Magistrate Mayambu said.
Their lawyer, Agrippa Malando, said they pleaded for leniency as first-time offenders and asked the court to impose a fine, but this was rejected.
Magistrate Mayambu said many people in Zambia, like in other African countries, believed in witchcraft even though it was not scientifically proven.
He added that the law was meant to protect society from fear and harm caused by those claiming to use witchcraft.
“The question is not whether the accused are wizards or actually possess supernatural powers. It is whether they represented themselves as such, and the evidence clearly shows they did,” Magistrate Mayambu said.
Alongside the two-year sentence for “professing” witchcraft, the men were given six months for possessing charms. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning they will serve two years from their arrest date in December 2024.
Hichilema has previously said he does not believe in witchcraft and has not commented on the case.
Lawyer Dickson Jere told the BBC that the Witchcraft Act was introduced in 1914 during colonial rule. He said people are “very rarely” prosecuted for practising witchcraft, but the law helps protect elderly women who might otherwise face mob attacks in villages after being accused of causing someone’s death through witchcraft.
Witchcraft has also been mentioned in the ongoing dispute between the government and the family of late President Edgar Lungu over his burial. Some believe the government’s insistence that he be buried in Zambia, against his family’s wishes, may be for “occult reasons”. The government has denied this.
Lungu died in South Africa in June, and his body remains in a morgue there as no agreement has been reached on his burial.
Zambia jails two men for attempting to use witchcraft on president
Published: September 15, 2025 By: Vanguard, Nigeria
A Zambian court has sentenced Leonard Phiri and Mozambican Jasten Mabulesse Candunde to two years in prison for trying to use witchcraft to kill President Hakainde Hichilema.
They were arrested in December with charms, including a live chameleon.
“It is my considered view that the convicts were not only the enemy of the head of state but were also enemies of all Zambians,” Magistrate Fine Mayambu said.
The men were allegedly hired by a fugitive former MP. Despite claiming to be traditional healers, they were found guilty on two counts under the Witchcraft Act.
“The two accepted ownership of the charms. Phiri further demonstrated that the chameleon’s tail, once pricked and used in the ritual, would cause death to occur within five days,” the magistrate added.
Lawyer Agrippa Malando said his clients pleaded for leniency as first-time offenders, but the court rejected the request.
The men also received six months for possessing charms, but the sentences run concurrently.
President Hichilema, who does not believe in witchcraft, has not commented. The Witchcraft Act, passed in 1914, is rarely used but aims to protect society from fear and harm.
Ritual murder – locally known as ‘muti murder’ – is not uncommon in Zimbabwe although it remains an exceptional crime that we must reject, combat and punish. The last time I posted on murder for ritualistic purposes in this Southern African country was on July 6 this year.
I take here a brief, superficial look at a number of reported and suspected or cases of ritual murder in Zimbabwe which have been reported in the current year, 2025, and in 2024 – with the important disclaimer that I do not claim to present an exhaustive list of reported muti murder cases, and underlining that many ritual murders go unnoticed.
In this post I do not include the original article(s), which is my usual procedure (for fear of losing the source in cyberspace). This time I take the risk… I apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause to the reader.
Before presenting you aforementioned list, I wish to share with you a succinct but very correct description of ‘ritual murder; thanking Lovemore Muzira of Pendula News, Zimbabwe for the quote:
‘Ritual killings are premeditated murders carried out on the belief that human body parts hold supernatural powers.’ Unquote.
Journalist Lovemore Muzira is a regular contributor to Pindula News with a background in Political Science and International Relations and has written most of the articles referred to below. He is to be commended for drawing our attention to this plague – murdering for ritualistic purposes, which are a serous human rights violation and cause fear and sadness.
The reader is reminded of the Makore ritual murder case: 7-year old Tapiwa Makore was murdered by his uncle and an accomplice for ritualistic purposes. His cruel death in 2020 shocked the nation and the high-profile muti murder of the young boy was leading headlines in newspapers for many years, 2020-2025. I also covered the tragic murder case and following trial on this site. Unfortunately, ritual murderers learn little from the punishment imposed on the murderers: ultimately they were sentenced to life imprisonment.
Warning: some of the following articles contain graphic details which may disturb the reader.
On a recent suspected case of ritual murder, in Norton, Zimbabwe, Lovemore Muzira reported:
Decomposing Body Of Missing Chitungwiza Teacher Found In Gutu Published: October 8, 2024 By: Lovemore Muzira – Pendula News, Zimbabwe Parts of the decomposing body of Stella Mushangidze Chidzenga, a Chitungwiza teacher were recently found in Gutu, Masvingo Province.
It’s impressive how the police uncovered everything, but it never led to a rial. The perpetrators went unpunished. A painful thought. (webmaster FVDK)
The photo Joyce Osagiede claimed to be Adam (Image: PA)
Mystery of boy’s torso found in Thames after ‘voodoo ritual’ remains decades later
Published: September 7, 2025 By: Saskia Rowlands – The Mirror, UK
More than two decades since little Adam’s torso was discovered in the river Thames, police are no closer to finding the boy’s killer after he was slaughtered in a horrific “voodoo ritual”
The child’s torso was dressed in orange shorts (Image: PA)
The torso of a little boy from Africa was found in London’s river Thames over two decades ago – but his killer is still on the loose.
An investigation found the youngster, aged between four and seven, was smuggled into Britain and slaughtered as part of a horrific voodoo ritual. Tests proved he had been plied with a powerful potion of gold dust and quartz, drugged into paralysis with a type of African bean and had his throat slit.
But despite several arrests and forensic breakthroughs over the years, nobody has been brought to justice for the horrific crime. As the 24th anniversary of the horror approaches, we take a fresh look at the evidence and how the story unfolded.
Officers recovered the body upstream (Image: SWNS)
The discovery
On September 21 2001, IT consultant Aidan Minter was walking across London’s Tower Bridge when he caught sight of something floating in the water. It was just 10 days after the 9/11 attacks in the US and the city was still strangely quiet.
At first, Aidan thought it was a shop mannequin with a red cloth attached to it. But as the object passed under the bridge and out the other side, he realised he was in fact staring at a headless child.
It’s a memory Aidan lives with to this day. He said during an interview in 2020: “I do think about him – I’ll never forget it for as long as I live.” Police pulled the body from the water upstream, close to the Globe Theatre, later that day. They named him Adam.
Aidan Minter spotted the torso in the river (Image: BBC NEWS)
The first week
Early investigations suggested Adam’s body may have been in the water for as long as 10 days. Police conclude he died from having his throat slit. His arms, legs and head had all been expertly amputated. The body parts have never been found.
There were no signs of physical or sexual abuse, and he had been well fed. He was wearing nothing but a pair of orange shorts – something which later gave officers their first breakthrough. The label indicated they were made by firm Kids & Company and the size and colour could only be found in a small number of shops in Germany.
Detective sergeant Nick Chalmers was one of the police officers assigned to the case and says it was the strangest and most complex of his career. He added: “You definitely have a tie to a case, and there’s this drive to find answers. The one thing that has lingered is the frustration that we didn’t find all the answers.”
Retired detective Nick Chalmers worked on the investigation (Image: BBC NEWS)
African connection
Tests showed Adam had lived in Africa until shortly before his death. Because his body had been precisely butchered, experts decided it had been a ritualistic murder.
Some thought it was a rare so-called “muti” killing found in southern Africa – when a victim’s body parts are removed and used by witchdoctors. Others said it was more likely a human sacrifice linked to a twisted version of Yoruban belief systems from Nigeria.
Nelson Mandela later made an impassioned plea to the African public for help, saying: “The boy comes from somewhere in Africa, so if anywhere, even in the remotest village of our continent, there is a family missing a son of that age who might have disappeared around that time please contact the police.”
Nelson Mandela made an impassioned plea (Image: Mirrorpix)
Breakthrough
In July 2002, social workers in Glasgow became concerned for the safety of two girls living with their mum, an African woman named Joyce Osagiede. Council workers found bizarre, ritualistic objects in her home. And at a court hearing to take the children into care, Joyce told an alarming story of cults, killings and sacrifices.
Joyce Osagiede was considered a key witness (Image: BBC NEWS)
DS Nick Chalmers searched her home and found clothes with the same Kids & Company label and in the same sizes as Adam’s orange shorts. Joyce is arrested.
Officers were convinced Joyce was an important part of the story, but she was confused and kept changing her account. She denied knowing Adam, but was unable to explain the extraordinary coincidence about the shorts. Officers lacked enough evidence to charge Joyce. She remained in Glasgow awaiting an asylum decision.
The shorts were from a brand called Kids and Company (Image: SWNS)
September – November 2002
Forensic work narrowed down Adam’s birthplace to land near Benin City in Nigeria, which is Joyce’s home city. Pollen samples in his gut showed he had been living in the south-east of England for a few days or weeks before his death. Also in his stomach was an unusual substance made of African river clay – including vegetation, ground bone and traces of gold and quartz. The presence of ash showed the mixture had been burned before Adam ate it.
In November, Joyce was deported after the Home Office rejected her asylum application. She vanishes after landing in Lagos. Afterwards, German police say she lived in Hamburg until late 2001, which is the city where Adam’s shorts were purchased.
July – October 2003
A man named Kingsley Ojo is arrested as part of several human trafficking raids in London. Police discovered he was one of two contacts on Joyce’s phone. And during a search of his house, officers find an animal skull pierced with a nail, liquid potions, packets of sand and a videotape labelled ‘rituals’ which showed an adult being beheaded.
Kingsley Ojo was jailed with four charges of people smuggling and using fake documents (Image: PA)
Meanwhile, botanists at London’s Kew Gardens analysed samples of a plant found in Adam’s gut and discovered he was fed small amounts of Calabar bean, sometimes known as the Doomsday, and used in witchcraft ceremonies in West Africa. The dosage found would have paralysed Adam but not prevented any pain. Ground up seeds from the Datura plant, which acts as a sedative and causes hallucinations, were also found.
Traces of so-called Doomesday seeds were found in Adam’s stomach (Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
July – December 2004
Kingsley Ojo was jailed with four charges of people smuggling and using fake documents to obtain a passport and driving licence. He was said to have performed ‘juju’ ceremonies for other inmates behind bars.
An inquest into Adam’s death recorded a verdict of unlawful killing, hearing that he died from neck wounds suffered while he was still alive.
Adam was laid to rest in an unmarked grave( Image: BBC NEWS)
2005 – 2008
Kingsley Ojo offered to help the team investigating Adam’s death and claims he has secret recordings of Joyce. While awaiting deportation, he convinced officers he could help and spent two years feeding them information.
In December 2006, Adam’s body was laid to rest in an unmarked grave in a London cemetery. And two years later, Ojo is deported back to Nigeria after detectives decide they can’t rely on him.
In Nigeria, Joyce Osagiede finally admits she looked after Adam when she had lived in Hamburg in northern Germany and bought the orange shorts found on his body. A social worker assessing benefit claims later says she met Joyce on several occasions when she was in Hamburg and remembers seeing her with a small boy who she believes was Adam.
March 2011 – 2012
Joyce Osagiede claimed a photo found among her belongings in Germany was of Adam. She said his real name was Ikpomwosa and that she had looked after the boy, but gave him to a man called Bawa.
The following year, Joyce’s brother Victor said the boy in the photo was not Adam, claiming it was a misunderstanding. The BBC later met with Victor and Joyce who said the boy in the image was actually called Danny – who was later tracked down in Hamburg.
Joyce then suggests Adam was called Patrick Erhabor. She later identifies the man Bawa as trafficker Kingsley Ojo. Ojo continues to deny links to Adam’s killing and no evidence of his involvement is found.
The photo Joyce claimed to be Adam(Image: PA)
September 2021 – present
The Met Police launch a fresh appeal to find Adam’s killer to mark the 20 year anniversary of his body being found. The previous year, Joyce’s brother Victor revealed Joyce had died.
Aidan Minter, who spotted the body in the river, was diagnosed with acute post-traumatic stress disorder. He says he felt utterly helpless, knowing his discovery was somebody’s son.
For retired detective Nick Chalmers, the lack of answers is deeply frustrating. He said: “This was an innocent young child. There are people responsible for his death who haven’t been brought to justice. Twenty years on, I wish we knew the identity of Adam – and his parents. In reality, he is a missing child from a family, who probably don’t know he’s buried here in London.”
Detailed circumstances are not yet unknown but one thing is clear: the brutal killing of an innocent woman who was accused of witchcraft.
The revolting crime was allegedly committed by three men including a son of the murdered lady. It all happened in the Northern state of Jigawa.
Jigawa State is located in the North West geopolitical zone of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Nigeria is divided into six geopolitical zones commonly called zones). With a surface area of 23.154 km2 Jigawa State ranks 18th (out of 36 states) and with an estimated population of about 7.3 million people in 2025 (7 million in 2020) it occupies the 9th position.
Until 1991, Jigawa State was part of Kano State. Its bordes the Republic of Niger. The majority of the population are Muslim and of Hausa or Fulani (called Peul in francophone Africa) background. JIwaga State is with eleven other Nigerian States governed by Sharia law.
Jigawa man arrested for killing mother over witchcraft claim
Published: August 29, 2025 By: Dayo Oyewo – Punch, Nigeria
A 25-year-old man, Jibrin Ado, has been nabbed by the police in Jigawa State for killing his mother on suspicion of witchcraft in the Gerawa area of the state.
PUNCH Metro learnt this on Thursday from a statement on X by security expert, Zagazola Makama. (See article below Police arrest man over alleged killing of mother accused of witchcraft in Jigawa – webmaster FVDK)
According to him, Ado perpetrated the act alongside some accomplices on Tuesday.
The accomplices were identified as Musa Kwalle, Dan Abba, Sule Musa, and one Arrow, all of Gerawa village.
“Sources said that on August 26 at about 4:30 p.m., the suspect, identified as Jibrin Ado of Daneji Village, conspired with others – Musa Kwalle, Dan Abba, Sule Musa, and one Arrow, all of Gerawa Village – and trespassed into the home of his father, Adamu Saleh.
“The suspects beat up his (Saleh’s) wife, Magajiya Ado, 50, with heavy sticks until she became unconscious, accusing her of witchcraft,” he wrote.
Makama further stated that the victim was rushed to General Hospital in the Ringim area of the community, where she died while receiving treatment.
“Sources said that her corpse had since been released to the family for burial. The sources added that one of the suspects, Jibrin Ado, had been arrested while others were still at large,” he concluded.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Lawan Shiisu, promised to find out and revert. He had yet to do so as of the time the report was filed.
Police arrest man over alleged killing of mother accused of witchcraft in Jigawa
Published: August 28, 2025 By: By: Zagazola Makama Nigeria (
The Police Command in Jigawa has arrested a 25-year-old man over the death of his mother, whom he and accomplices allegedly attacked on suspicion of witchcraft.
Sources said that on Aug. 26 at about 4:30 p.m., the suspect, identified as Jibrin Ado of Daneji Village, conspired with others – Musa Kwalle, Dan Abba, Sule Musa and one Arrow, all of Gerawa Village – and trespassed into the home of his father, Adamu Saleh.
“The suspects beat up his wife, Magajiya Ado, 50, with heavy sticks until she became unconscious, accusing her of witchcraft,”said the sources.
According to the sources, the victim was rushed to General Hospital, Ringim, where she died while receiving treatment.
Sources said that her corpse had since been released to the family for burial.
The sources added that one of the suspects, Jibrin Ado, had been arrested while others were still at large.
The current site presents little news about ritual practices, including ritual murders (“muti murders”) in Mozambique, mainly due to a bias in my research, which focuses primarily on Anglophone countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Warning: I have included the last news article below (implicating Peter “Cool Dud” Muparutsa (66) of the RUNN Family fame, who has found himself at the centre of a storm after being accused by some relatives of the ritual murder of a Mozambican woman for fame during his hey days in music – for illustrative purposes: to indicate that ritualistic practices are not an unknown phenomenon in Mozambique – and would like to emphasize that inclusion in no way implies that I endorse the accusation. (webmaster FVDK)
‘Undocumented’ Mozambican sangoma in court over possession of human tissue
A Mozambican traditional healer, 26, Aizeque Zacaria Cumbuia, appeared in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrates’ Court on Friday, for possession of human body parts.
Published: August 22, 2025 By: Mbalenhle Zuma – Sunday World (South Africa)
A 26-year-old Mozambican traditional healer, Aizeque Zacaria Cumbuia, appeared in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court on Friday, charged with possession of human tissue.
The discovery was made on August 7 during a police investigation into a gruesome murder in Brits. A female victim was killed, her body parts removed, and her remains burned.
“We were horrified to find human tissue in the suspect’s possession,” said a police spokesperson, underscoring the gravity of the case.
Found with murder victim’s body parts
Cumbuia was allegedly found with human tissue in a room where he practised as a sangoma (traditional healer).
“The evidence was uncovered during a thorough search linked to the Brits murder investigation,” the spokesperson added.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Cumbuia may also face charges of kidnapping, murder, defiling a corpse, and violating South Africa’s Immigration Act, as he is suspected of being in the country illegally.
The murder is linked to the 2023 killing of 20-year-old Gontse Makhubela. Her organs were allegedly found in Cumbuia’s possession.
During his arrest he was found in possession of human remains believed to be that of Makhubela, 20.
The young woman was allegedly lured by another man, Serame Moroke. The instruction allegedly came from Cumbuia, for Makhubela to be killed for ritual purposes.
Victim lured from shop by ‘client’
Makhubela was establishing her post-matric life when she was brutally murdered.
She was working as an intern at a furniture shop. Her assailants, posing as potential clients at the shop, lured her to her death.
Two other suspects, including another Mozambican traditional healer, have been arrested.
In court, the case was postponed to August 28, 2025, for a formal bail application. The state has, however, voiced out that they plan to oppose Cumbuia’s bail.
A prosecutor stated: “The severity of these crimes and the ongoing investigation demand that the accused remain in custody.”
Traditional healer in court for possession of human tissue linked to murder investigation
Aizeque Zacaria Cumbuia (26) a traditional healer from Mozambique appeared at the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrates’ Court. He is facing a charge of possession of human tissue
Published: August 22, 2025 By: IOL (South Africa)
Aizeque Zacaria Cumbuia, a 26-year-old traditional healer from Mozambique, made a brief appearance at the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrates’ Court, facing a serious charge of possession of human tissue.
The allegations against Cumbuia emerged from police operations that were initially focused on a separate murder case, according to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana.
She explained that police discovered evidence on August 7, when they found human tissue within the premises where Cumbuia practiced his traditional healing.
“This was discovered by police officers when they were conducting investigations in relation to a Brits murder case, where a deceased female was killed, body parts removed, and her body burned,” Mahanjana said.
Police have stepped up their efforts to trace the circumstances surrounding the crime, and Cumbuia’s alleged involvement has only intensified their inquiries.
During the court proceedings, the magistrate heard that the state intends to oppose any application for bail, arguing that Cumbuia’s release could pose significant risks to the ongoing investigation and the safety of the community.
The matter has been postponed until August 28 August when Cumbuia is expected to make a formal bail application.
Case of a Mozambican traditional healer accused of ritual murder postponed (YouTube)
Screenshot – to listen to the report, please click here
Published: August 22, 2025 By: SABC News – South Africa
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is confident of a successful prosecution in the trial of a Mozambican national found in possession of human remains believed to be that of a murdered 20-year-old woman. 26-year-old Isaac Shikomboya’s arrest follows that of two other people who were apprehended after being found in possession of the slain victim’s cellphone. The two men led the police to Shikomboya. The case has been postponed to Thursday next week for a bail application.
Warning: I have included the news article below for illustrative purposes – to indicate that ritualistic practices are not an unknown phenomenon in Mozambique – and would like to emphasize that inclusion in no way implies that I endorse the accusation. (webmaster FVDK)
Weekender Reporter VETERAN producer and musician, Peter “Cool Dud” Muparutsa (66) of the RUNN Family fame, has found himself at the centre of a storm after being accused by some relatives of the ritual murder of a Mozambican woman for fame during his hey days in music.
The explosive allegations were thrown at the ageing producer by his grandnephew — Macdonald Nyamajiya — who claimed that Muparutsa later married him and his two brothers off to the slain woman’s blood-thirsty avenging spirit.
He alleged that the woman’s restless ghost has been haunting their family.
The matter was heard before Chief Mutasa’s community court recently after Muparutsa had reported Nyamajiya, accusing him of tormenting him through the “frivolous” allegations.
Muparutsa produced before the court a tirade of text messages, in which Nyamajiya accused him of being a heartless murderer and ritualist, who had destroyed his family.
“If you are free, come to Dangamvura today so that we see each other face-to-face. You know your stories or give me an address of where you stay so that I come there myself.
“Let us not meet in the spirit, but let us meet during daylight, enough is enough,” reads one of his text messages.
Another message, dripping with rage, reads: “I am not afraid of you, you are not God. Personally, it is now boring me because you are responsible for our suffering, so we have to meet. There shall come a time where we will be assaulting each other and striking each other with axes.
“I do not want a grandfather who makes me his scapegoat. What you have done is enough. If you do anything to me, know that you and your family will perish. Play your guitar at church later after you have finished appeasing this spirit,” he charged.
Startled by the venom, Muparutsa confirmed the accusations.
“I am being accused by my older brother’s daughter’s son of wizardry, possessing goblins, and causing all the mishaps in their family. I was shocked when I went through his text messages,” he said.
In response, Nyamajiya told the court that he had written the offensive messages out of deep pain.
“My late mother was a Muparutsa and my father hails from Bocha. However, I grew up within the Muparutsa family and use their surname.
Growing up, we were told that he (Peter) has goblins, and that he was being haunted by an avenging spirit because he killed someone in Mozambique.
“In April, the spirit started manifesting on my younger brother and we consulted healers, who told us that our grandfather, Peter, was responsible for it.
“My brother acted as if he was paralysed and would shout Peter’s name. It is still happening up to now,” he alleged. He further claimed that the spirit insisted that he and his two brothers were spiritually ‘wedded’ to a female goblin by the musician.
“It is said that he killed a woman of the Tembo Clan, and is the one whose spirit we were married to. She was from Mozambique.
“The woman claims she was killed for rituals to enhance his musical fame. Every healer we consulted pointed an accusing finger at him,” said Nyamajiya.
Another family member, Bridget Muparutsa, weighed in, saying the allegations have haunted them for generations.
“We heard about it as we grew up. We would get married and come back home widowed because our husbands would have died. We wanted to be here with the rest of the family, but in the process of taking the matter to Headman Muparutsa, Peter brought the case before this court,” she said.
The matter took an unexpected turn after Chief Mutasa ruled that Nyamajiya had no right to sue Peter.
“Macdonald, you are not a Muparutsa, it is your mother, who was a Muparutsa. If a Muparutsa killed someone, it is not possible for the avenging spirit to torment you because you are not a member of the Muparutsa family by blood.
You cannot come here accusing your uncle because you are not a Muparutsa. His family should report him, and not you,” warned Chief Mutasa.
He further warned Nyamajiya against being dragged in his uncles’ family feuds.
“Do not be too convinced of what you are hearing — what if it is someone else that is using his face? Do not be used to fight battles that are not yours. Let the Muparutsa family approach my court to sue him, not you. I am not favouring anyone in this matter, but we need to help you guys,” said Chief Mutasa.
Nyamajiya was fined a beast for disrespecting his uncle.
“You were disrespectful. For that, you must pay him a beast. You cannot challenge an elder in this manner,” he ruled.
Chief Mutasa also ordered the Muparutsa family to unite and consult traditional healers together to settle the matter.
Witchcraft accusations are not uncommon in Liberia – nor in other African countries, as can be read in my recent post of August 18 and older posts.
I’ve commented in older posts on the outdated practice of witchcraft accusations and related maltreatment, sassywood practices (trial by ordeal) and mob justice. For briefness sake I present here some of my earlier posts on this subject. The reader is warned that some graphic details may be shocking.
Accusations of witchcraft are not limited to a particular area, county, town, village or tribe, as the following lists shows. Moreover, it must be emphasized that reported cases are usually the tip of an iceberg. It must be feared that many cases remain unreported.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, August 19, an important event will take place in Ekiti State. Human rights abuses linked to witchcraft beliefs and ritual attacks will be the focus of a forum in the state.
Leaders and representatives of state and non-state agencies will convene to brainstorm on this critical topic and explore ways of addressing the abuses. As in other states in Nigeria, superstitious belief in witchcraft and ritual wealth is pervasive in Ekiti and often leads to egregious human rights abuses.
Introduction under construction (webmaster FVDK)
Rallying Against Witch Hunts and Ritual Attacks in Ekiti – By Leo Igwe
Published: August 17, 2025 By: Leo Igwe – Opinion, Nigeria
Reported cases of witch hunts and ritual attacks are only the tip of the iceberg. Most instances of witch persecution and ritual murder are unreported because they happen in rural areas where such abuses are believed to be the ‘norm’, and align with local ‘customs and traditions’. Victims of witch hunts and ritual attacks are often vulnerable members of the population, women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, or persons in weak sociocultural positions.
On Tuesday, an event will take place in Ekiti State. Human rights abuses linked to witchcraft beliefs and ritual attacks will be the focus of a forum in the state. Leaders and representatives of state and non-state agencies will convene to brainstorm on this critical topic and explore ways of addressing the abuses. As in other states in Nigeria, superstitious belief in witchcraft and ritual wealth is pervasive in Ekiti and often leads to egregious human rights abuses. Until recently, these violations have been ignored; they have not been treated with the urgency they deserve.
Some of the cases have been reported in the media. These cases highlight the challenges of addressing these abuses. In one such case, some youths killed a 70-year-old woman, Rebecca, in Omuo Ekiti for witchcraft. These youths murdered the woman based on a dream of a little girl. The girl dreamt that the woman was responsible for the illness of her stepson.
As reported, the daughter of the deceased, recounted: “The late Mrs Adewumi was invited to the palace of the Olomuo of Omuo Ekiti, Oba Noah Omonigbehin, sometime in May this year based on an allegation that she used witchcraft power to harm her step-son, by name Ola…On getting to Olomuo’s palace, the family was asked to come the following day at 6 a.m., and on that day, the palace was full to the brim. My mother was then asked to undress to the pants, after which a series of questions were asked. She was then given a concoction (Obo leaf) said to make witches confess and die. My dear mother was told that she would die within seven days if she were involved in Ola’s matter. Nine days passed, nothing happened, and I left for my base in Lagos. Three weeks later, on June 26, some youths in the town went to our house and brought out my mother and forced her to drink a poisonous item. They then took her outside into the rain, where she was beaten and subjected to serious torture. When she was almost dying, they took her back into her room and laid her on the bed. She died on June 30.” One thing that was noteworthy in the report was the failure of the police to arrest because community leaders advised the police against interfering or intervening in a witchcraft case.
In a related development, a monarch in Ekiti accused a widow of witchcraft and subsequently banished her from the community. According to the report, this monarch, a retired police officer, claimed that the woman turned into a black goat, and mystically caused an accident and made another family member.
The woman denied being a witch and magically causing any harm. She claimed the monarch accused and banished her because she refused to swear an oath at the palace shrine. She refused to forfeit the late husband’s property. The traditional ruler claimed that the banishment was in line with the tradition of the community, that the woman must come before the shrine to swear an oath and prove her innocence. Incidentally, there was no mention of any police intervention in the case, probably because the traditional ruler was a former police officer.
In another case, the court jailed two siblings, Sunday Arowosoki, 25, and Gbolaga Arowosoki, for assault and malicious damage to the property of a widow. They accused the woman of killing her husband through witchcraft. Some people reported the case to the monarch, “who dismissed the allegation as frivolous and unsubstantiated”. Unlike in previous cases, the police and the traditional ruler acted and intervened; they supported the accused. This development is quite commendable. The traditional ruler dismissed the allegation as baseless. From the report, the accusation was not one of the grounds for conviction. It should have been the case. Witchcraft accusation is a crime under the law. It is pertinent that accusers are prosecuted and punished to restrain accusations.
In addition, there have been reports of abuses linked to ritual attacks and beliefs in Ekiti state. For instance, in February, TVC reported that the Ekiti state police command arrested a 23-year-old man, Solomon Fabiyi, for attempting to use his seven-year-old nephew, Jomiloju, in a money ritual. The report says that the ‘ritual doctor’ he contacted for the sacrifice reported the matter to the police. The deputy governor urged youths in the state to refrain from ritual killing and eschew ‘devilish and unclean ways of accumulating wealth.
Reported cases of witch hunts and ritual attacks are only the tip of the iceberg. Most instances of witch persecution and ritual murder are unreported because they happen in rural areas where such abuses are believed to be the ‘norm’, and align with local ‘customs and traditions’. Victims of witch hunts and ritual attacks are often vulnerable members of the population, women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, or persons in weak sociocultural positions.
Witch hunts and ritual attacks persist because most Nigerians strongly believe that witches are real and that people can make money or become rich through ritual sacrifice. The practices are rooted in ignorance, fear, anxiety, and superstitions. Unfortunately, traditional religion, Christianity, and Islam sanctify and reinforce these beliefs and practices. The Advocacy for Alleged Witches will work with stakeholders in Ekiti to highlight misconceptions, illusions, and delusions, and other ‘traditional’ religious and cultural narratives that motivate abuses and atrocious acts linked to witchcraft and ritual beliefs.
The authorities are to be commended for their swift action. Also the president of the Vhembe Traditional Healers Association, Mr Mbulaheni Neluvhola, condemned the use of human body parts in traditional practices. (FVDK)
Two traditional healers face murder charges after skulls are discovered
The president of the Vhembe Traditional Help Healers Association, Mr Mbulaheni Neluvhola (standing, third from left) is flanked by traditional healers and members of the Muronga family outside the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Monday evening. Victor Mukwevho Ne-vumbani.
Published: August 8, 2025 By: Victor Mukwevho – Limpopo Mirror, South Africa
In an unusual late-afternoon sitting, two traditional healers appeared in the Thohoyandou High Court at 17:45 on Monday, facing serious charges, including murder.
Humbulani Munzhelele (55) and Mpho Nefale (38) are charged with two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, one count of conspiracy to commit murder, and one count of possession of human tissue after they were allegedly found in possession of two human skulls.
The court proceedings were delayed after one of the co-accused, Mpho Given Nefale, made a confession that lasted from 14:00 to 17:30.
The two accused joined their co-suspects, Tshilidzi Phalandwa (43) and Balangani Sedzani Tshivhombedze (32), who had appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court last Friday (1 August).
The case relates to the disappearance of two individuals from Malavuwe Village — Rendani Tshigwili and her two-year-old daughter — who were last seen in May this year on their way to the shops in Thohoyandou. Their disappearance was reported to the Thohoyandou Police Station, prompting an immediate investigation.
On Wednesday, 30 July, investigators acting on a credible lead discovered the bodies of both mother and daughter. Two suspects were arrested shortly afterwards in connection with the gruesome crime.
A joint operation by the Vhembe District investigative team and the provincial task force on missing persons later led officers to Hlabeni Block F, within the Saselamani policing area, where a 55-year-old suspect was apprehended.
Further investigation took the police to the home of a 38-year-old traditional healer in Muraga Village, in the Thohoyandou policing precinct, where the suspect was allegedly found in possession of the missing heads of the two victims.
Mr Mbulungeni Muronga (32), husband of the late Rendani Tshigwili and father of their three children, described his devastation upon learning of the murders. He said he was in shock and overwhelmed with grief. “I feel like a dead man walking. I am still in very serious pain and don’t even know how I will be able to look at the remains of my family while preparing for the funeral. My only hope now is for the justice system to do its job,” he said.
He confirmed that one of the suspects was his neighbour and expressed disbelief and deep hurt that someone living so close could allegedly commit such a brutal crime.
Muronga said he had three children — two daughters and a son — including the two-year-old who was killed. Regarding the other two children, he explained that the family had initially withheld the tragic news, but had later brought in social workers from the Malavuwe Clinic to help manage the situation.
“Things are very tough on my side. Social workers are the only people keeping me going,” he added softly.
When asked about rumours that the main suspect had been romantically involved with his late wife, Muronga said: “That’s what people are saying, but I don’t believe in hearsay. I have no evidence of such an affair, and I leave it there — as rumours.”
Mr Mbulaheni Neluvhola, president of the Vhembe Traditional Healers Association, attended the court proceedings in support of the victims’ families. He condemned the use of human body parts in traditional practices.
“Our ancestors show us herbs and direct us to them in our dreams to heal people. It is a myth that human tissues are used for healing. We are calling on all traditional healers to stop killing people for ritual purposes. Human tissues do not heal people,” he said. “As the leadership of traditional healers in the Vhembe District, we are calling on law enforcement to leave no stone unturned in tackling gender-based violence and ritual (muti) murders. Lock up the perpetrators in jail and throw the key into the sea.”
Elsewhere on this site I provide ample information on the phenomenon of albinism and the plight of Africans living with albinism. It is not only a heath issue. It is also a human rights issue. People living with albinism are targeted on the African continent, they are discriminated, attacked, mutilated and sometimes murdered for ritualistic motives. This horrible practice must end.
Fortunately, organizations such as the Source of Nile Union of Persons with Albinism (SNUPA) are making efforts to make the lives of people with albinism more bearable and to fight against the stigmas attached to albinism. They are to be commended for their valuable work but we must realize that it is a matter that concerns us all. (FVDK)
The hidden struggles of living with albinism in Uganda
Published: July 22, 2025 By: Rhonet Atwiine – Nile Post, Uganda
The victim is a 25-year-old mason, Nelson Anyena, who has been killed in what investigators describe as a ritual murder in Mafi Adidome, Central Tongu District. During an exhumation exercise at a fetish priest’s shrine on July 7, 2025, investigators reportedly discovered two additional unidentified bodies buried at the same location. However, according to other (non-confirmed) reports, police discovered three additional skeletons buried under other idols, as well as scattered body parts in nearby bushes.
In all, six suspects including the fetish priest were arrested.
The horrifying murder case has been widely covered in the media.
Ghana’s Volta Region is one of the country’s sixteen administrative regions. Its capital is the city of Ho. It is located between Lake Volta in the west and the Republic of Togo in the east. (FVDK)
Warning: The following articles contain graphic details which may upset readers (FVDK)
Lady lures man with romantic encounter only to kill him for rituals
Published: July 14, 2025 By: Armani Brooklyn – GhPage, Ghana
The Volta Regional Police Command has arrested six individuals linked to the murder of 25-year-old mason, Nelson Anyena, in what police describe as a suspected ritual killing.
The incident occurred in December 2024 after Anyena, who had moved from Wusuta to Mafi-Adidome to join his wife, was lured into a trap by Augustina Fiawoyife under the pretence of a romantic meeting.
He was later strangled by two men identified as Wisdom Hedidor and Courage Bedzo.
His body was allegedly sold to a fetish priest for GH¢7,000.
The suspects arrested include:
Augustina Fiawoyife
Wisdom Hedidor
Courage Bedzo
Noah Gblor (fetish priest)
Yohannes Gblor (security guard)
John Gblor (lotto writer)
The breakthrough came following police investigations, leading to the exhumation of Anyena’s body at Noah Gblor’s shrine on July 7, 2025. Two other unidentified bodies were also found at the site.
All six suspects are currently in police custody and have been remanded. They are expected to reappear in court on August 8, 2025.
Police have transported the recovered bodies to the Police Hospital Mortuary in Accra for autopsy and DNA analysis. Authorities say more arrests may follow as the investigation deepens.
The Volta Regional Police Command has assured the public, especially the bereaved family and residents of Adidome, that justice will be served.
Man lured by woman, 21, for romantic encounter and killed for ritual
Published: July 13, 2025 By: Peace FM Online – Ghana
The Volta Regional Police Command has arrested six individuals in connection with the gruesome murder of Nelson Anyena, a 25-year-old mason. The arrests took place in Blorkorfe and Awakpedome, both suburbs of Adidome in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region.
Police investigations revealed that the victim, who had moved from Wusuta to Mafi-Adidome in December 2024 to join his wife, was lured into a deadly trap involving a female accomplice and a fetish priest.
According to a police statement, the suspects include Augustina Fiawoyife, believed to have enticed the victim under the guise of a romantic encounter, as well as Wisdom Hedidor and Courage Bedzo, who allegedly carried out the killing.
The police have also identified the spiritual leader involved as Noah Gblor, a fetish priest, along with Yohannes Gblor, a security guard, and John Gblor, a lotto writer.
Preliminary findings indicate that on 4 December 2024, Fiawoyife lured Anyena to a remote location through a phone call. Once there, Hedidor and Bedzo reportedly strangled him and handed his body over to the fetish priest in exchange for GH¢7,000.
The crime came to light following detailed police investigations and the subsequent arrest of the suspects.
During an exhumation exercise at Noah Gblor’s shrine on 7 July 2025, investigators discovered two additional unidentified bodies buried at the same location.
Police confirmed the recovery of the bodies, which have been transported to the Police Hospital Mortuary in Accra for autopsy and DNA analysis.
All six suspects are currently in police custody and have been remanded. They are scheduled to reappear in court on 8 August 2025 as investigations continue. Authorities say further arrests are possible as they work to uncover the full extent of the criminal network behind the murder.
The Volta Regional Police Command praised the cooperation of the local community and appealed for calm among residents and the family of the deceased. The police assured the public that justice would be pursued rigorously in this alarming case.
The Volta Regional Police Command has arrested six individuals in connection with a suspected ritual killing of a 25-year-old mason, Nelson Anyena, at Mafi Adidome in the Central Tongu District of the Volta region.
According to a statement signed by Chief Inspector Francis Kwaku Gomado, Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Volta Regional Police Command, the deceased had relocated from his hometown, Wusuta in the South Dayi District, to live with his wife at Mafi Adidome in December 2024.
Following weeks of covert investigations and collaboration with local residents, the police apprehended the first three suspects on 26th June 2025.
They include 21-year-old Augustina Fiawoyife, an unemployed woman; 31-year-old herbalist Wisdom Hedidor; and Courage Bedzo, also known as Dzidefo, a 31-year-old Kente weaver.
Further investigations led to the arrest of three additional suspects: Gblor Noah, also known as Ekpedzi, a 42-year-old fetish priest; his brother Yohannes Gblor, aged 27 and employed as a security guard; and John Gblor, aged 40, a lotto writer.
The three were arrested at Mafi Awakpedome.
Preliminary findings indicate that on 4th December 2024, Augustina, acting on instructions from her boyfriend, Wisdom Hedidor, lured Nelson Anyena to a secluded location under the pretext of a romantic meeting.
There, Hedidor and Courage Bedzo allegedly ambushed and strangled him (the deceased).
Investigators believe the suspects carried out the killing on behalf of fetish priest Gblor Noah, who had earlier approached them requesting a human body for ritual purposes in exchange for a fee.
After the act, Noah and his brothers allegedly paid GH¢7,000 to the two attackers and transported the body to a shrine at Blorkope.
On 3rd July 2025, police secured an exhumation order from the Ho Magistrate Court and, on 7 July, retrieved the victim’s body from beneath Noah Gblor’s shrine.
The exercise, led by Volta Regional Crime Officer Superintendent Mr Omari Mic Boakye and supported by Environmental Health Officers from the Ho Municipality, also uncovered two additional unidentified bodies buried at the site.
The remains have been transferred to the Police Hospital Mortuary in Accra for preservation, autopsy, and DNA profiling.
All six suspects are currently in police and prison custody and are expected to appear in court on 8th August 2025.
The Volta Regional Police Command has expressed appreciation for the public’s cooperation and has called on the family and community members to remain calm as investigations proceed.
Ritual murder: Six arrested over death of 25-year-old mason
Published: July 10, 2025 By: Caroaryee – MyNewsGh.com
A 25-year-old mason, Nelson Anyena, has been killed in what investigators describe as a ritual murder in Mafi Adidome, Central Tongu District.
His body was found buried beneath a shrine after weeks of investigation.
Nelson, who had recently moved from Wusuta to live with his wife in Mafi Adidome, was reportedly lured by a young woman, Augustina Fiawoyife, under the pretext of a private meeting.
According to police findings, she acted on instructions from her boyfriend, Wisdom Hedidor, a herbalist.
Together with Courage Bedzo, a kente weaver, they allegedly ambushed Nelson and strangled him to death.
Investigations revealed that the act was carried out for a fetish priest, Gblor Noah, who had promised payment in return for a human body to use for rituals.
After the killing, the priest and his brothers allegedly paid GH¢7,000 and moved the body to a shrine located at Blorkope.
Three suspects—Fiawoyife, Hedidor, and Bedzo—were arrested on June 26, 2025.
This led to further arrests: 42-year-old fetish priest Noah Gblor, his 27-year-old brother Yohannes Gblor, and 40-year-old John Gblor, a lotto writer.
On July 3, the police secured a court order to exhume the body.
During the operation on July 4, not only was Nelson’s body recovered, but two additional unidentified bodies were also discovered buried at the same location.
All the remains have been transferred to the Police Hospital in Accra for autopsy and DNA analysis.
The suspects remain in custody and are expected to reappear in court on August 8, 2025. The police have called for public calm as investigations continue.
The Central Tongu MP, Alexander Roosevelt Hotordze, and Dodzi Addison Mornyuie, the District Chief Executive, have condemned the discovery of human remains at a shrine in Mafi Gblorkope.
They described the incident as a “barbaric and inhumane act” that has shaken the conscience of the entire enclave.
They made the remarks during a visit to the crime scene on Tuesday, July 8, following a police-led operation that triggered the exhumation of multiple human remains, including the skeletal body of a 28-year-old Nelson Anyana believed to have been murdered for ritual purposes.
Mr Hotordze disclosed to the Ghana News Agency that such acts had no place in the society, and assured the people of Central Tongu that his office in collaboration with the district assembly would not rest until every person involved in the heinous crime was identified, apprehended, and made to face the full rigours of the law.
“This is a horrifying and deeply troubling development,” he added.
He emphasised that justice must be delivered swiftly, not only to honour the memory of the victims but also to restore a sense of security among residents.
“I have tasked the security services to deepen their investigations and act decisively. This is not just about one life lost; it is about safeguarding the moral fabric and peace of our community,” he said.
The MP urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security personnel, noting that the ongoing investigations were being treated with the utmost seriousness.
Mr. Addison Dodzi Mornyuie also condemned the incident, describing it as “a stain on the conscience of the district” and a clear affront to human dignity and the rule of law.
He called on traditional leaders and local residents to remain vigilant and proactive in reporting suspicious activities, stressing that such heinous acts often thrived in silence and secrecy.
“We must build a community where no one is afraid to speak up and where evil is not allowed to hide under cultural or religious cover,” the DCE stated.
Mr. Mornyuie further assured the public of the Assembly’s full collaboration with the security agencies to bring all perpetrators to justice.
He reiterated that no one would be spared, regardless of social status or influence, and that the Assembly would intensify its community engagement and sensitisation efforts to prevent a recurrence.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service and the National Intelligence Bureau had confirmed to the GNA that three other suspects were in custody.
They said forensic investigations were underway to identify the additional remains and determine the full scale of the crimes committed.
Authorities have encouraged members of the public to volunteer any relevant information that may assist in the ongoing probe.
The suspects. INSET: One of the suspects with human bones
Published: July 10, 2025 By: Daniel K. Orlando, Ho – Daily Guide Network
A suspected ritual killing syndicate has been busted by the Ghana Police Service following the discovery of several human remains at a shrine in Gblorkope, Central Tongu District in the Volta Region.
The breakthrough came after months of investigations triggered by a missing person’s report filed on December 17, 2024, by Madam Comfort Hatse, a trader from Donkorkrom in the Eastern Region.
She reported that her son, Nelson Anyana, 28, had left home on December 4, 2024, to meet one Augustina Fiawoyife at Mafi-Adidome and never returned.
Detectives later uncovered a gruesome conspiracy involving Fiawoyife, who was romantically involved with a herbalist, Wisdom Hedidor. The police say Hedidor, consumed by jealousy over Fiawoyife’s continued contact with Nelson, allegedly plotted to murder him for ritual purposes.
Investigations revealed that a local fetish priest, Gblor Noah, popularly known as Ekpedzi, had earlier requested a human body for ritual rites, promising a GH¢7,000 payment. Courage Bedzo, a kente weaver, reportedly relayed this request to Hedidor, who agreed to carry out the act.
On December 12, 2024, Fiawoyife allegedly lured Nelson to a secluded location near the DC Bungalow area in Adidome. While engaging him in conversation, Hedidor and Bedzo emerged and strangled him to death. Fiawoyife reportedly watched the killing without raising any alarm.
The body was subsequently sold to the fetish priest, who was accompanied by his brother, Gblor Yohannes, a lotto writer. The remains were transported to the Gblorkope shrine and buried beneath an idol after performing rituals.
Upon arrest and interrogation, the suspects led investigators to the shrine where Nelson’s remains were exhumed. Police also discovered three additional skeletons buried under other idols, as well as scattered body parts in nearby bushes, raising suspicions of serial killings.
Six suspects have since been arrested. They include Augustina Fiawoyife, unemployed, Wisdom Hedidor, herbalist, Courage Bedzo, kente weaver, Gblor Noah alias Ekpedzi, fetish priest, Gblor John, security guard, and Gblor Yohannes, lotto writer.
All six are residents of Mafi-Adidome and reportedly related to the operators of the shrine.
The suspects were arraigned before the Ho District Court 1 on July 2, 2025, presided over by His Worship Albert Annor Owusu. Prosecutor, Detective Sergeant Kwadwo Otibu-Gyan, informed the court that investigations are still underway, particularly efforts to identify and exhume all remains linked to the case.
The court did not take the suspects’ pleas and remanded them into prison custody to reappear on August 6, 2025.
The disturbing revelations have sent shockwaves through the Volta Region, with residents demanding swift justice and a clampdown on ritual activities in the area.
The Ghana Police Service has assured the public of its resolve to fully pursue the case and bring all perpetrators to book. Authorities are also appealing to the public for information that could aid ongoing investigations.
Forensic experts are currently working to identify the additional victims, as police probe the possibility of more bodies linked to the shrine.
Six nabbed over alleged ritual murder at Mafi Adidome
Published: July 10, 2025 By: Adom Online
The Volta Regional Police Command has arrested six individuals in connection with the suspected ritual killing of a 25-year-old mason, Nelson Anyena, at Mafi Adidome in the Central Tongu District.
According to police, three suspects were initially arrested on June 26, 2025, following weeks of covert investigations and collaboration with residents.
The suspects are 21-year-old unemployed woman Augustina Fiawoyife; 31-year-old herbalist Wisdom Hedidor; and 31-year-old Kente weaver Courage Bedzo, also known as Dzidefo.
Further investigations led to the arrest of three additional suspects: – Gblor Noah, also known as Ekpedzi, a 42-year-old fetish priest – Yohannes Gblor, a 27-year-old security guard and brother of Noah – John Gblor, a 40-year-old lotto writer at Mafi Awakpedome.
A statement signed by the Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Regional Command, Chief Inspector Francis Kwaku Gomado, revealed that the deceased relocated from Wusuta in the South Dayi District to live with his wife at Mafi Adidome in December 2024.
On December 4, 2024, Augustina, acting on instructions from her boyfriend, Wisdom Hedidor, allegedly lured Nelson Anyena to a secluded location under the pretext of a romantic meeting.
There, Hedidor and Courage Bedzo reportedly ambushed and strangled him to death—an act police investigators believe was carried out on behalf of fetish priest Gblor Noah, who had earlier requested a human body for ritual purposes in exchange for a fee.
After the killing, Noah and his brothers allegedly paid GH¢7,000 to the attackers and transported Nelson’s body to a shrine at Blorkope.
On July 3, 2025, police secured an order from the Ho Magistrate Court and, the following day, exhumed Nelson’s body from beneath Noah Gblor’s shrine.
The exercise, led by Volta Regional Crime Officer Superintendent Omari Mic Boakye and supported by Environmental Health Officers from the Ho Municipality, also uncovered two additional unidentified bodies buried at the site.
All the remains have been transferred to the Police Hospital Mortuary in Accra for preservation, autopsy, and DNA profiling.
The suspects are currently in police and prison custody and are expected to reappear in court on August 8, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Volta Regional Police Command has expressed appreciation for the public’s cooperation and has called on the family and community members to remain calm as investigations continue.
Six arrested over ritual killing of 23-year-old in Mafi-Adidome; body exhumed by police
Published: July 9, 2025 By: Abigail Teye – Asaseeradio Ghana
The deceased, a resident of Mafi-Adidome, was reported missing on 17 December 2024 by his mother, Madam Comfort Hates, after he left home on 4 December to meet a woman identified as Augustina Fiawoyife but never returned.
Six individuals have been arrested in connection with the brutal killing of 23-year-old Nelson Anyana at Mafi-Adidome in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region, in what police describe as a premeditated ritual murder.
The deceased, a resident of Mafi-Adidome, was reported missing on 17 December 2024 by his mother, Comfort Hates, after he left home on 4 December to meet a woman identified as Augustina Fiawoyife but never returned.
Police investigations revealed that Fiawoyife lured Nelson to a secluded area under the pretext of a meeting. She was allegedly acting on instructions from her boyfriend, an herbalist named Wisdom Hedidor, who suspected frequent phone calls between Nelson and Fiawoyife.
Further details uncovered a chilling plot involving a fetish priest, Gblor Noah, who had approached a kente weaver, Courage Bedzo, requesting a human body for ritual purposes in exchange for a reward. Bedzo reportedly relayed the request to Hedidor, who then targeted Nelson as the victim.
On 4 December 2024, Fiawoyife led Nelson to a bushy area near the DC Bungalow at Mafi-Adidome, where Hedidor and Bedzo were hiding. As Nelson engaged in conversation with Fiawoyife, the two men emerged and strangled him.
After the killing, the group contacted Gblor Noah, who arrived at the scene with another accomplice, Gblor John, a lotto writer. The body was transported to Gblorkope in Central Tongu, where ritual rites were allegedly performed. The remaining body parts were then buried in a nearby bush.
The suspects—Fiawoyife, Hedidor, Bedzo, Gblor Noah, and Gblor John—were subsequently arrested. Police say the body was allegedly sold for GHC 7,000 for the ritual.
On 2 July 2025, the case was called at the Ho District Court 1, presided over by His Worship Albert Annor Owusu. All suspects appeared without legal representation. Prosecuting, Detective Sergeant Kwadwo Otibu-Gyan told the court investigations were ongoing, especially efforts to locate and exhume the remaining body parts.
The exhumation was carried out on 7 July 2025, with re-interment expected.
The suspects’ pleas were not taken, and they were remanded into prison custody to reappear on 6 August 2025.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the Central Tongu District, with residents calling for swift justice and stronger action against ritual-related crimes. Police investigations are ongoing.
Reporting by Solomon Mensah-Ahiable for Asaase News in the Volta Region
The Homicide Unit of the Ghana Police Service has made a major breakthrough in a suspected ritual murder case involving the disappearance of 28-year-old Nelson Anyana.
An intensive investigation led to the discovery and exhumation of multiple human remains buried within a shrine at Gblorkope, located in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region.
This operation follows a report filed by Comfort Hatse, the mother of the deceased, who informed police that her son had gone missing on December 4, 2024, after leaving home to meet a woman named Augustina Fiawoyife. He was officially declared missing on December 17.
Working with three key suspects, homicide detectives from the Volta Regional Police Command searched a property believed to be used for ritualistic practices.
The team exhumed Nelson Anyana’s body, buried beneath idols at the Gblorkope shrine, confirming suspicions of ritual murder.
The police further uncovered three additional human skeletal remains buried under separate idols at the same location.
Additional human body parts, believed to belong to other victims, were also discovered buried in surrounding bushes, raising fears that the site may have been a hub for serial ritual killings.
Six individuals have since been arrested and arraigned in connection with the murder.
The suspects include:
Augustina Fiawoyife, unemployed
Wisdom Hedidor, herbalist
Courage Bedzo, kente weaver
Gblor Noah, alias Ekpedzi, 37, fetish priest
Gblor John, 38, security guard
Gblor Johannes, 27, lotto writer
The last three, all brothers, are believed to operate the Gblorkope shrine.
According to the police, the murder was orchestrated by Wisdom Hedidor, who had reportedly grown jealous of the deceased’s relationship with Augustina, his romantic partner.
Investigations reveal that around the same period, fetish priest Gblor Noah allegedly requested a human body for ritual purposes in exchange for payment.
Courage Bedzo is said to have relayed the request to Hedidor, who agreed to carry out the killing.
On December 12, 2024, Augustina lured Nelson Anyana to a quiet area in Adidome, where Hedidor and Bedzo ambushed and strangled him, allegedly in the presence of Augustina.
The body was later purchased by the fetish priest and his associate, Gblor Johannes, for GH¢7,000. It was transported to the shrine at Gblorkope, used in ritual practices, and buried under one of the idols.
Following the operation, all six suspects were arraigned before the Ho District Court. They face charges of abetment of crime, to wit, murder, and conspiracy to commit crime, to wit, murder.
Police say forensic analysis is underway to identify the other human remains recovered and to determine if more suspects should be charged.
The shocking discovery has triggered public outrage and fear among residents of the Central Tongu District, with many demanding swift justice and a broader crackdown on suspected ritual networks in the region.
The Ghana Police Service has assured the public of its commitment to fully investigate the case and bring all perpetrators to justice.
Police exhume multiple human remains in Central Tongu shrine
Published: July 9, 2025 By: Adomon Online, From: GNA
The Homicide Unit of the Ghana Police Service has undertaken an operation that uncovered and exhumed multiple human remains buried in a shrine at Gblorkope in the Central Tongu District.
This follows a suspected ritual murder and the disappearance of 28-year-old Nelson Anyana.
The homicide investigation marked a breakthrough in the alleged murder of Nelson, resulting in the discovery of multiple human bones, some buried beneath idols in the shrine.
Six individuals have been arrested and arraigned in connection with the alleged murder of Nelson, who had earlier been declared missing.
The breakthrough came after police detectives from the Homicide Unit in Ho, accompanied by three key suspects, conducted a search of a property believed to have been used for ritual purposes.
The body of Nelson Anyana, who had been missing since December 2024, was exhumed from the Gblorkope shrine, confirming police suspicions of ritual murder.
During the search, police discovered three additional skeletal remains buried beneath different idols at the same location. Assorted human body parts believed to belong to other victims were also found buried in nearby bushes, intensifying suspicions that the site may have been used for serial ritual killings.
The suspects, all residents of Mafi Adidome, are Augustina Fiawoyife, unemployed; Wisdom Hedidor, an herbalist; and Courage Bedzo, a kente weaver.
The others are Gblor Noah, also known as Ekpedzi, a fetish priest aged 37; Gblor John, a 38-year-old security guard; and Gblor Johannes, a 27-year-old lotto writer. The last three, who are siblings, are reported to be operators of the Gblorkope shrine.
According to police investigations, the case began when Comfort Hatse, a trader from Donkorkrom and mother of the deceased, reported him missing on December 17, 2024.
She stated that the deceased had left home on December 4 to meet the first suspect, Augustina Fiawoyife, and never returned.
It was later discovered that Augustina was in a relationship with the second suspect, Wisdom Hedidor, who had grown jealous over her ongoing relationship with the deceased. He allegedly hatched a plan to kill him, which was executed accordingly.
Around that time, the fourth suspect, Gblor Noah, had reportedly solicited a human body for ritual purposes in exchange for a substantial payment.
The third suspect, Courage Bedzo, relayed this request to Hedidor, who agreed to carry out the murder.
On December 12, 2024, Augustina lured the deceased to a secluded area near DC Bungalow, a suburb of Adidome. While the victim engaged her in conversation, Hedidor and Bedzo ambushed and strangled him to death, with Augustina allegedly witnessing the act without intervening.
The third suspect subsequently contacted the fetish priest, who arrived at the scene with the sixth suspect, Gblor Johannes. They bought the deceased’s body for GH¢7,000 and transported it to the shrine at Gblorkope, where it was used in ritual ceremonies before being buried under idols.
Following the recovery of Nelson Anyana’s remains and those of other unidentified individuals, all six suspects were arraigned before a District Court in Ho. They have been charged with abetment of crime to wit murder and conspiracy to commit crime to wit murder.
Police investigators say further forensic analysis is underway based on the new discoveries to determine the identities of the additional victims and file appropriate charges against the suspects.
The discovery has sparked outrage and fear among residents of the Central Tongu District, with many calling for swift justice and a broader investigation into possible ritualistic networks in the region.
The Ghana Police Service has reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing the case thoroughly and ensuring all perpetrators face the full rigours of the law.
Central Tongu: HumanRemains Exhumed From Shrines in Gblorkope
Published: July 9, 2025 By: Peter Atsu ,reviewed by Samuel Gitonga, Yen – Ghana
A quiet Volta village has been rocked by a chilling case of suspected ritual killing after the discovery of human remains
Three brothers, known in the community, are accused of using human remains in shrines
The suspects include a priest, a lottery ticket retailer and a security guard, all linked to a missing young man
A worrying discovery has rocked the quiet village of Gblorkope in the Adidome North electoral area of the Central Tongu District, where police officers in the Volta Regional Police Command have exhumed human remains from shrines.
The remains are allegedly those of individuals murdered and used in ritualistic practices.
Gblorkope rocked by grief as police discover human remains in a shrine. Photo credit: UGC Source: Getty Images
The operation involved three of the six suspects leading authorities to the sites where the remains were found. According to Prosper Ayikpa, the Assembly Member for the area, the remains, including four human skulls, were recovered from two shrines.
“The remains were exhumed from two shrines. The remains were actually used as the foundation upon which deities were moulded in the shrines. In all, four human skulls were exhumed from three shrines with other human parts,” he told YEN.com.gh in an interview, painting a grim picture of the ritualistic practices involved.
Ayikpa expressed his dismay over the incident, confirming that he personally knew the three suspects, who all share the same father. “The suspects are six, but the three that the police came with are indigenes of my electoral area,” Ayikpa stated, adding that “…they are well-known people in the area. They even campaigned for me to become an Assembly Member, so I know them well,” he said.
He also disclosed the professions of the three suspects: “John Gblor is a lotto writer, his brother Yohanes Gblor works as a security guard, and Noah Gblor is the main traditional priest who runs the shrines with the help of his brothers. They all share the same father. They are brothers,” he said.
How Nelson Anyana’s body was found
According to sources close to the investigations, on December 17, 2024, Comfort Hates, a trader residing in Donkorkrom in the Eastern Region, reported to the Adidome Police that her 28-year-old son, Nelson Anyana, had gone missing after leaving home three days earlier to meet one Augustina Fiawoyife.
The Adidome Police Command launched an investigation and arrested Augustina Fiawoyife.
Information disclosed to a local radio station in the Central Tongu Constituency showed that Augustina was the girlfriend of Wisdom Hedidor, a herbalist with whom she lived in Avakpadome, a suburb of Adidome.
Hedidor reportedly became suspicious and warned his girlfriend to stop receiving calls from Nelson, who frequently contacted her. Around the same time, Gblor Noah, the priest, allegedly approached his friend Courage Bedzo, a Kente weaver also residing in Avakpadome, requesting a dead body for ritual purposes in exchange for a ransom.
Courage Bedzo then ostensibly relayed this request to Wisdom Hedidor, who agreed to the plan. Both men allegedly conspired to kill Nelson Anyana, the man who often called Augustina. Investigations allegedly showed that Hedidor convinced his girlfriend to lure Nelson to a secluded location, where he would be killed and offered to the priest for money rituals.
Augustina, Nelson meet at an isolated spot On Wednesday, 4 December 2024, at approximately 7:30 PM, Augustina reportedly instructed Nelson to meet her at an isolated spot near a bungalow.
Unaware of the purported plan, Nelson arrived and began speaking with her.
Moments later, Hedidor and Bedzo emerged from a nearby bush and allegedly strangled Nelson to death.
After the suspected murder, Courage Bedzo allegedly contacted Gblor Noah to inform him that the body was ready.
Gblor Noah, accompanied by his brother John, the lotto writer, reportedly arrived and transported Nelson’s lifeless body to their house in Gblorkope.
Parts of the body were allegedly used in rituals within the shrine, and the remaining human parts were buried in a nearby bush.
Efforts to speak with the Volta Regional Police Crime Officer on the matter have so far been unsuccessful.
The homicide unit of the Ghana Police Service has undertaken an operation, uncovered and exhumed multiple human remains buried in a shrine at Gblorkope in Central Tongu District.
This followed a suspected ritual murder and disappearance of 28-year-old Nelson Anyana.
The homicide investigation is a breakthrough in the alleged murder of Nelson resulting in the discovery of multiple human bones, some buried under idols in the shrine.
Six individuals have been arrested and arraigned in connection with the alleged murder of Nelson, after being declared missing.
The breakthrough came after Police Detectives from the Homicide Unit in Ho, in the company of three key suspects, conducted a search of a property believed to be used for ritual purposes.
The body of Nelson Anyana, who had been missing since December 2024, was exhumed from a Gblorkope shrine satisfying Police suspicion of ritual murder.
The Police, in their search, discovered three additional skeletal remains buried beneath different idols at the same location, as assorted human body parts believed to belong to other victims were found buried in nearby bushes, intensifying suspicions that the site may have been used for serial ritual killings.
The suspects, all residents of Mafi Adidome, are Augustina Fiawoyife, unemployed; Wisdom Hedidor, an herbalist; and Courage Bedzo, a kente weaver.
Others are Gblor Noah, also known as Ekpedzi, a fetish priest, 37; Gblor John, a security guard, 38; and Gblor Johannes, a lotto writer, 27 (all siblings) and operators of the Gblorkope shrine.
According to Police investigations, the case began when Comfort Hatse, a trader from Donkorkrom and mother of the deceased, reported her missing on December 17, 2024.
She stated that the deceased had left home on December 4 to meet the first suspect, Augustina Fiawoyife, and never returned.
It was later discovered that Augustina was in a relationship with the second suspect, Wisdom Hedidor, who had grown jealous over his ongoing relationship with the deceased and hatched the scheme to kill him, which was executed according to plan.
Around that time, the fourth suspect, Gblor Noah, reportedly earlier solicited a human body for ritual purposes in exchange for a substantial payment.
The third suspect, Courage Bedzo, relayed this request to Hedidor, who then agreed to carry out the murder.
On December 12, 2024, Augustina lured the deceased to a secluded area near DC Bungalow, a suburb of Adidome, while the victim engaged her in conversation, Hedidor and Bedzo ambushed and strangled him to death, with Augustina allegedly witnessing the act without intervening.
The third suspect subsequently contacted the fetish priest, who arrived at the scene with the sixth suspect, Gblor Yohannes and bought the deceased’s body for GH¢7,000, which was transported to the shrine in Gblorkope, where it was used in ritual ceremonies before being buried under the idols.
Following the recovery of Nelson Anyana’s remains and those of other unidentified individuals, all six suspects had earlier appeared before a District Court in Ho, charged with abetment of crime to wit murder and conspiracy to commit crime to wit murder.
Police investigators say further forensic analysis was underway based on the new discoveries to determine the identities of the additional victims and appropriate charges for the suspects.
The discovery has sparked outrage and fear among residents of the Central Tongu District, with many calling for swift justice and a broader investigation into possible ritualistic networks in the region.
The Ghana Police Service has reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing the case thoroughly and ensuring all perpetrators face the full rigours of the law.
The following links to articles from various sources (GhanaWeb, Modern Ghana) provide more information on this spectacular and revolting ritual murder case.
Source: The Homicide Unit of the Ghana Police Service has achieved a significant breakthrough with the discovery and exhumation of multiple human remains at a shrine in Gblorkope, Central Tongu District, Volta Region. The operation was launched following the suspected ritual murder of 28-year old Nelson Ayana, who went missing in December 2024. Source: GhanaWeb
