Despite six gruesome murders involving mutilated bodies over the past decade, the government of Botswana insist none can be classified as ritual killings. The reason? Minister for State President, Defence, and Security, Moeti Mohwasa, responding to a parliamentary question from Member of Parliament for Serowe South, Leepetswe Lesedi, explained that ‘In our statuses in general and the penal code in particular , we don’t have an offence called ritual killing.’ However, he admitted that Botswana is currently faced with a high number of reported missing persons – see the article below for the exact number of missing persons who were never recovered.
This is not to say that all missing persons have been murdered, let alone murdered for ritualistic reasons. But the harsh reality is that ritual murders – known in Southern Africa as ‘muti murders’ – do indeed occur in Botswana. See my posts of 2018 (referring to a suspected ritual murder case in 2017), 2019 (referring to a 2006 case), 2020 (including a 2011 article), 2021, 2022 (detailing a devastating 2019 report) and 2023. Some of these posts concern albino victims, see the 2022 post mentioned. In 2023 then Botswana president Mokgweetsi Masisi (2018-2024) condemned ritual murder practices.
Hence, Minister Mohwasa’s statement may be theoretically true, in the strict sense of the law, but that says nothing about the fact that ritual murder does indeed occur in Botswana. (webmaster FVDK).
‘There is no such thing as ritual killings in our laws’ – Minister for State President, Defence, and Security Moeti Mohwasa
Published: March 24, 2026 By: Mmegionline – Botwana
This was revealed by the Minister for State President, Defence, and Security Moeti Mohwasa. Mohwasa was responding to a parliamentary question from Member of Parliament (MP) for Serowe South, Leepetswe Lesedi.
Lesedi had sought to find out from government a comprehensive report on the number of persons who have gone missing and those who have been reported missing in Botswana in the last 10 years.
The MP also sought to find out how many cases were due to kidnapping and ritual killings and what is being done to sensitize the public about such incidents.
To which the minister explained, “ In our statuses in general and the penal code in particular , we don’t have an offence called ritual killing. We are therefore constrained to speak to a crime that is not in our statutes. The taking of human life is criminalised as murder’.
Mohwasa however admitted that the country is currently grappling with high number of reported missing persons.
“Most of them are the youth who go away without informing their relatives and guardians about their whereabouts. 6677 reports of missing persons which involved 6765 from 2016 to 2025 of the total, 3,412 were male , whilst 3,353 were female,” the Minister shared.
The Minister further stated that through search efforts by the police, the communities and publication on BPS Facebook page a total of 6,3330 missing persons were recovered while 426 were never recovered.
According to statistics in 2023 Botswana recorded 728 missing persons with 686 found, and 42 still missing, in 2024 709 were reported, with 647 found whilst 62 are still missing , in 2025 a total of 618 missing persons report was filed whilst 586 were recovered 32 are still missing.
The controversial South African politician Julius Malema is the founder and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a black nationalist political party that adheres to communist principles and goals. The EFF is the fourth-largest party in the National Assembly. Julius Malema hails from Limpopo Province, where he was born in 1981. After the passing of his mother, a single parent, he was raised by his grandmother.
On Tuesday, February 24, during a joint session of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, he made a number of attention-grabbing statements which can’t surprise since coming from the mouth of an – orally gifted – opposition politician. While Malema didn’t spend many words on ‘muti murders’, he was clear in his condemnation of them. The connection he made with local government elections is no coincidence, even though we must realize that he was primarily speaking as an opposition politician. South Africa isn’t the first or only SSA country where political elections are accompanied by an increase in ritual killings. Sadly, the existence of a link between politics and ritual murder is a reality in a number of African countries.
For the sake of clarity, I want to emphasize here that this last comment should not be interpreted as an accusation against all politicians and political candidates. I’ve said before on this site that we must be careful not to generalize.
But we cannot deny reality either. (webmaster FVDK)
South Africa: opposition politician and EFF leader Julius Malema condemns ritual killings ahead of local government elections
EFF leader Julius Malema warned President Cyril Ramaphosa, condemning ritual killings (image: EFF)
Published: around February 24, 2026 By: Simon Majadibodu – The Mercury, South Africa
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has sent a stern warning to President Cyril Ramaphosa, saying that as long as the red berets remain in Parliament, the Phala Phala scandal “will never die.”
Malema made the remarks during a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday afternoon, as MPs debated Ramaphosa’s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The debate will continue on Wednesday at 2pm, with the president expected to reply on Thursday at 2pm.
“Mr President, we warned you eight years ago that the Oppenheimers and the Rupperts would neutralise you, and your legacy would be that you auctioned our country and its strategic assets to the highest bidder. You did not heed our warning,” Malema said.
“You have auctioned our sovereignty to asset management companies such as BlackRock, which is why you have praised the growth of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).”
Malema accused Ramaphosa of selling state infrastructure, including ports, railways, and energy generation capacity, to the private sector, and warned that water could be next.
He said the president had failed to take responsibility for creating jobs.
“You do not take responsibility for fighting crime. You do not take responsibility for infrastructure development, and you do not take responsibility for growing our economy,” he said.
“There is no sign of any infrastructure for a bullet train, no design plans for a smart city, and not even a curriculum for the institution of higher learning in Ekurhuleni, as you promised.”
Malema said, “You asked us to send you Thumamina, and we made a mistake. And as your term of office comes to an end, you have nothing to show for it.”
He criticised Ramaphosa’s handling of crime, saying that deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to Gauteng and the Western Cape is a last resort.
“You are admitting that you have failed to fight crime. The people of Gauteng have been terrorised for too long by the so-called Zama-Zamas, and on the deployment of the army, we have no choice but to support you, because you have destroyed law enforcement capacity.”
Malema questioned whether the military, weakened by austerity measures and humiliated abroad, could tackle crime domestically.
“Our concern is, how do you deploy a military which has been crippled by austerity measures to fight crime? Because we know that our military is under-strained and under-resourced, and has been humiliated in war zones abroad. How do you intend to ensure they can fight crime domestically?”
He noted that the army is trained for combat, not civilian law enforcement.
“The scale of crime in our country cannot be dealt with by the army alone, because crime is a national crisis and a social crisis. If we do not resolve the challenges of unemployment, alcohol and substance abuse, and the high drop-out rates of youth from schools, then crime will be a permanent feature in our society.”
“Crime in South Africa is organised through drug syndicates, protection fee rings, sex trafficking rings, and gangs. It has infiltrated all forms of government, and putting guns in the streets alone will not resolve this crisis,” Malema said.
He added that the root of the problem in the criminal justice system begins with Ramaphosa’s own political party.
“The biggest syndicate is the political party you are leading, Mr President… Mr President, subjectively, this government has done nothing to grow this economy or to strengthen our courage.”
Malema said it was important to remind Ramaphosa of his own commitments.
“Last year, on this same platform, you committed to grow the economy by 3% through infrastructure investment, structural reforms, and inclusive growth and employment.”
“You no longer speak of this figure, and the National Treasury itself predicts economic growth at 1.5%, and will most likely revise this projection downward as the year progresses, because that is their tradition.”
He said Ramaphosa presents a budget surplus as a positive economic indicator, but this reflects austerity rather than progress.
“Why would you be proud of a budget surplus in a country with massive unemployment, collapsing municipal infrastructure, and poverty which is leading to the death of children in the Eastern Cape?
”Your pride when it comes to EPWP jobs is something you should be ashamed of and not mention at this level of governance. Those are temporary jobs which are used to secure income for volunteers of your political party.”
Malema criticised the insecurity of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) jobs.
“It enslaves jobs with no security because it cannot secure a car or a home with an EPWP job.”
He said the electricity crisis in South Africa is far from over.
“The mistake you are making in declaring an end to the electricity crisis is the same mistake you have made with the water crisis for decades in this country.”
“Now that the people of Sandhurst no longer experience an electricity outage, you no longer view it as a crisis, forgetting the people of Soweto, Mdantsane, Seychelles, and Ditsobotla.”
He claimed Ramaphosa had given load shedding a new name: “load reduction.”
“On top of that, you have lost control of the pricing regime of electricity, and Nersa is announcing an increase in the cost of electricity every few months.
“Your municipalities do not have an idea of the infrastructure they are seized with governing. It does not matter how many billions of rands you give them to revive water infrastructure.”
Malema said ministers and mayors lacked knowledge of town planning and water infrastructure.
“The fact of the matter is your minister and your mayors do not know the town planning of where water infrastructure begins and where it ends. This is why they respond to burst pipes and leakages as they happen and run after one pipe to the other.”
He praised EFF MMC for water in Ekurhuleni, Thembi Msane, who has been declared a “water champion.”
“When your minister (Pemmy Majodina) was running around complaining about water, our MMC of water in Ekurhuleni was given an award the same week and declared a water champion.”
“Instead of benchmarking from the DA, which struggles to provide clean water to people in the city, go and benchmark from the EFF department in Ekurhuleni on how to fix the water crisis.”
Malema said municipalities will not be fixed unless the equitable share model is revised.
“The idea that all municipalities can be self-reliant on revenue generation when you preside over a country that is massively de-industrialising and suffering massive unemployment is misguided.”
He called for stronger municipal capacity and recovery of revenue from major industries, offering incentives to industries for investing in municipal infrastructure.
Malema said the EFF supports Ramaphosa’s posture on international relations, including support for Palestine, Western Sahara, South Sudan, and Cuba.
“We agree with you that Africa must begin to negotiate its trade relations as a bloc and with unity, and that no nation must ever think it has the right to bully us and impose on us who our friends must be and who our enemies must be.”
He condemned xenophobic violence and ritual killings ahead of local government elections. (italics and bold letter-type added by the webmaster FVDK).
“They must ask their friends who came here with the name of killing foreigners. They did not win elections. Xenophobia will never win elections, and some of them are found in your cabinet.”
Malema urged Ramaphosa to take concrete action against Israel.
“You must exhibit your courage by closing the Israeli embassy, which is a resolution of this nationalism. You have declared their representative persona non grata, and the skies did not fall. Close their embassy and cut relations with this genocidal nation.”
He criticised the US diplomat, calling the appointment “rampant racism” and asserting the country has the right to refuse cooperation.
Malema said the Phalaphala scandal had rendered Ramaphosa ineffective in dealing with corruption and incompetence.
“When Dr Zweli Mkhize was found to be involved in a digital pipe scandal, you did not have the courage to remove him. He resigned. Today, Zweli Mkhize is chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
“While David Masondo was identified as being a key part of corruption in the State Security Agency by the Zondo Commission, you did not remove him. Today he is Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation.”
He also criticised the handling of suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina, accusing Ramaphosa of creating task teams instead of exercising consequence management.
“If you have the courage to remove her, remove her now so that you demonstrate that you’ve got the courage.”
Malema slammed Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi for suggesting citizens shower at hotels during water outages.
However, Lesufi later apologised.
“When you assumed office, you claimed it would be a transparent presidency, then proceeded to sell CR17 documents of your campaign and block investigations on Phalaphala. Where’s the transparency?”
“Let me reassure you, Mr President: as long as the EFF is alive and in Parliament, Phalaphala will never die.”
The EFF has long called for the Constitutional Court to release its delayed judgment on the Phalaphala matter, accusing the judiciary of undermining constitutional supremacy.
The party centres on the 2020 theft of an estimated R10 million from Ramaphosa’s farm and the alleged unlawful cover-up, arguing that delays in the impeachment-related case heard in November 2024 have eroded public confidence in the judiciary.
Traditional healers Mandla Lekhuleni popularly known as Prof Lekhuleni, Rei Magoxa Mozambique and Sefadi Mohami are to be commended for their outspoken condemnation of ritualistic violence, muti murders and sexual abuse of women and children. Likewise, police sergeant Nomsa Katekani Macevele did a great job in bringing to justice an unscrupulous father who violated and raped his own daughter.
It is hearthening to realize that we should not tar all sangomas with the same brush. It is never correct to generalize!
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the article below also establishes beyond any doubt that South Africa and South Africans face a harsh reality: sexual violence, accusations of witchcraft, child mutilation, human sacrifice and muti murder are no exception in this southern African country whereas in some case sangomas play a perverse role in these heinous crimes. The present site contains numerous examples proving this observation to be correct. (NB Use the dropdown menu under ‘African countries’ to access all posts on South Africa). (webmaster FVDK)
Sangomas strongly condemn abuse as Limpopo father raped teenage daughter after rituals at a grave
Published: March 2, 2026 By: Jonisayi Maromo – IOL, South Africa
Traditional healers Mandla Lekhuleni popularly known as Prof Lekhuleni, Rei Magoxa Mozambique and fellow traditional healer Sefadi Mohami during a gathering in Ekangala, City of Tshwane, where they united in condemning muthi murders, ritual killings and the abuse of women and children, saying such acts have no place in African traditional healing. (Image: Jonisayi Maromo/ IOL)
The Malamulele Regional in Limpopo court has imposed a life-term imprisonment against a 44 year-old man who was accused of raping his 17-year-old biological daughter at Matiyani village.
Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, said on 20 September 2023 at about 5 pm, the victim was at home with her parents when her father decided to take her to a graveyard to perform rituals at her grandfather’s grave.
The name of the rapist father is withheld to protect the identity of the abused child from secondary victimisation.
“On their arrival at the graveyard, the accused (father) performed the rituals and finished in the evening at about 21:00. Afterward, the duo retreated to their residence, and while walking in the bushes, the accused grabbed his daughter and suddenly raped her,” said Ledwaba.
“Following the horrendous act, the victim was threatened and instructed not to tell anyone about the incident.”
After a year of silence, the abused teenager ultimately revealed the ordeal to her uncle’s wife in February 2024.
The incident was reported to the local police and immediately transferred to the Giyani family violence, child protection and sexual offences (FCS) unit.
“Sergeant Nomsa Katekani Macevele was assigned to investigate the matter, and through her indefatigable efforts, the 44 year-old male accused was apprehended the next day on 20 February 2024,” said Ledwaba.
Macevele successfully opposed bail until the accused father was sentenced to life-term imprisonment by the Malamulele Regional Court on Tuesday. Police in Limpopo have welcomed the harsh sentence.
Provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe (Image: SAPS)
In some instances, children are sexually abused as part of so-called rituals falsely believed to provide healing or prosperity for the perpetrator.
Traditional healers, commonly known as sangomas, are often implicated in these heinous acts. Some have been arrested by the South African Police Service, while others have been attacked by community members when such incidents come to light.
“Speaking the truth does not break any friendship or a spaza shop. Those people using body parts of children or albinos — that is a crime. There is no such thing. Since I started practising, I was never taught that if you want money or your business to grow, you must kill someone or use human blood. That is 100% criminal,” he said.
He rejected claims that human sacrifice or abuse of women and children forms part of African traditional healing.
Traditional healer Mandla Lekhuleni popularly known as Prof Lekhuleni, condemned muthi murders, ritual killings and the abuse of women and children, saying such acts have no place in African traditional healing. (Image: Jonisayi Maromo/ IOL)
“I hear people saying sangomas use human sacrifices to make people rich. That is not what I learnt or what my gobela taught me. I was taught to go to the mountains, to rivers, to dig and collect medicine from nature — herbs that help uplift a person who is down,” he said.
Traditional medicine and rituals are widely believed across South Africa and in Africa to help cure illnesses or improve people’s livelihoods. Lekhuleni, who has a large social media following, regularly shares content about traditional healing practices.
“In my indumba (traditional room where a sangoma practices), you will never find even a small human bone. Killing someone to make another person rich is not African traditional medicine. African traditional medicine uses herbs, sometimes combined with iziwasho ,” he said.
“That is pure criminality, and I am willing to assist the police. Wherever such so-called traditional healers are found, I will work with the police to ensure they are arrested and never practise again. They must never see the light of day.”
Lekhuleni said traditional healers across the Southern African Development Community were increasingly alarmed by the rise in so-called muthi murders and were working together to combat the practice.
‘That is not African tradition’: Traditional healers condemn muthi murders and child abuse in South Africa
Published: January 12, 2026 By: Jonisayi Maromo – IOL, South Africa
South Africa has for decades grappled with the scourge of child mutilation and abuse cases in which body parts, especially those of children, are used in brutal rituals purported to enhance wealth or bring good fortune.
In some instances, children are sexually abused as part of so-called rituals falsely believed to provide healing or prosperity for the perpetrator.
Traditional healers, commonly known as sangomas, are often implicated in these heinous acts. Some have been arrested by the South African Police Service (SAPS), while others have been attacked by community members when such incidents come to light.
During an intensive police operation at Hlabeni, under the Saselamani policing area, officers arrested the two suspects. One of them, a traditional healer from Muraga village under the Thohoyandou policing precinct, was allegedly found in possession of the severed heads of the victims.
“Further police investigations led the members to the residence of a 38-year-old traditional healer at Muraga village under the Thohoyandou precinct. The traditional healer was allegedly found in possession of the missing heads of the two victims and was also placed under arrest,” Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said at the time.
Police said a credible lead resulted in the discovery of the bodies of the mother and child, after which the suspects were immediately linked to the crime and arrested.
Against this backdrop, IOL this week travelled to Ekangala, and spoke to celebrity sangoma Mandla Lekhuleni, popularly known as Prof Lekhuleni, on the sidelines of a traditional celebration attended by healers from South Africa and Mozambique.
“Speaking the truth does not break any friendship or a spaza shop. Those people using body parts of children or albinos — that is a crime. There is no such thing,” Lekhuleni said. “Since I started practising, I was never taught that if you want money or your business to grow, you must kill someone or use human blood. That is 100% criminal.”
He rejected claims that human sacrifice forms part of African traditional healing.
“I hear people saying sangomas use human sacrifices to make people rich. That is not what I learnt or what my gobela taught me. I was taught to go to the mountains, to rivers, to dig and collect medicine from nature — herbs that help uplift a person who is down,” he said.
Traditional medicine and rituals are widely believed across South Africa and in Africa to help cure illnesses or improve people’s livelihoods. Lekhuleni, who has a large social media following, regularly shares content about traditional healing practices.
“In my indumba (traditional room where a sangoma practices), you will never find even a small human bone. Killing someone to make another person rich is not African traditional medicine. African traditional medicine uses herbs, sometimes combined with iziwasho ,” he said.
“That is pure criminality, and I am willing to assist the police. Wherever such so-called traditional healers are found, I will work with the police to ensure they are arrested and never practise again. They must never see the light of day.”
Lekhuleni said traditional healers across the Southern African Development Community were increasingly alarmed by the rise in so-called muthi murders and were working together to combat the practice.
From Maputo, Mozambique, prominent traditional healer Rei Magoxa said ritual killings had tarnished the work of genuine African traditionalists.
“As someone representing SADC, I want to make it clear that this is not our habit and not from us as traditional healers,” he said. “Traditional healers do not do this. Perhaps there are people with bad habits using our name, but we do not know where this comes from.”
“The law must take its course against such people, because this is not part of African traditional healing,” Magoxa added.
Academic and traditional health practitioner Sefadi Mohami echoed these sentiments, describing perpetrators of muthi murders as criminals masquerading as healers.
“That is not us, and it cannot be done under our name,” Mohami said. “As traditional healers, we are custodians of African traditions and amadlozi (ancestors). We represent those who walked before us, including kings and queens, and our work must be carried out with dignity.”
Mohami, who is affiliated with the SADC University of African Medicine, said the institution had taken a firm stance against ritual killings and child abuse.
“We are saying no to ritual killings. We are saying no to the abuse of children and to children being molested in the name of traditional healing. That is not us,” he said. “Unfortunately, it is happening under our name, but those responsible are thugs and have nothing to do with African traditional healing.”
Gauteng spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Lumka Mahanjana, said a charge of premeditated murder was also added against the baby’s mother, Kuneuwe Portia Shalaba.
The 32-year-old mother was previously facing charges of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery and making a false statement to the police.
“It is alleged that on 10 November 2024, the mother of the child (Kuneuwe) took the child to the sangoma (Khounyana) and requested him to kill her child because she was not happy with the gender of the baby and was tired of hiding it from her family. The child (Kutlwano) was a girl,” said Mahanjana.
“The mother then allegedly fed the baby poison, and after the baby died, it is alleged that the two took the child and buried her body in a shallow grave in Waterpan.”
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.
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.”
A horror story in South Africa. Reportedly, a small boy was sold by his parents and his dismembered body found a few days later. Immediately a ‘muti’ murder was suspected, a child sacrifice, a murder for ritualistic motives. Too gruesome to imagine. Southern Africa including the RSA is notorious for its muti killings even while not all cases are detected and not all detected cases are recorded.
There is certainly a link between poverty and child trafficking; the suspected combination with superstition was deadly in this case. The authorities fortunately acted quickly and arrested two suspects, the mother of the little victim and her boyfriend. According to the police, the suspects sold the child for for12,000 rand (about US$ 655 or a little less than € 600).
However, the well-known saying applies here: ‘prevention is better than cure’. The one-million-dollar-question is: how?
Will the eradication of poverty be the problem-solving solution? Or is more needed? After all, not all ritual murderers are poverty-stricken criminals…. (Webmaster FVDK)
South African horror: boy’s dismembered body found after alleged sale by parents
Published: May 4, 2025 By: Nigerian Bulletin
A disturbing case has shaken South Africa: a 3-year-old boy was reportedly sold for ritual purposes by his mother and her boyfriend. His dismembered remains were discovered days later, igniting national outrage.
KEY POINTS:
Gruesome Discovery: The boy went missing on April 23. Authorities later found his body dismembered, suggesting he was killed for ritualistic purposes.
Family Betrayal: Police allege the child was sold by his mother and her boyfriend for 12,000 rand (about ₦950,000).
Public Shock: The case has horrified communities and drawn attention to the link between poverty, belief in rituals, and child endangerment.
Swift Arrests: Both suspects were quickly taken into custody and now face charges of murder and human trafficking.
Larger Pattern: The incident sheds light on an ongoing crisis — ritual killings and child trafficking continue to plague parts of the continent.
The horror isn’t just in the killing – it’s in the betrayal. Many are struggling with the idea that a mother could willingly sacrifice her child. It’s a sobering reflection of how desperation and superstition can corrode moral foundations.
As legal proceedings begin, South Africans are asking: What will it take to end the cycle of ritual killings? Can justice extend beyond punishment to prevention?
The following post contains every ingredient for a horror story: a mysterious disappearance, a kidnapping, a dead body, a suspected murder for ritual purposes, muti, superstition, witchcraft and mob justice – leading to the death of the alleged perpetrator who was accused of being a witch. It’s story with only losers: the victim, an innocent 11-year old girl, the alleged witch, the village community and the rule of law.
However, the authorities have reacted swiftly, arresting eight people accused of involvement in the death of the alleged witch, a 40-year old woman named Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu, and the arson attack and the looting which took place. The police started also an investigation into the death of the young victim, Rhetabile Molapo. The girl went missing on October 13, the eruption of jungle justice occurred a week later, on October 20.
It all happened in a village called Modutung, near Taung, a small town situated in the North West Province of South Africa. Tau is the Tswana word for lion.
Among paleontologists Taung is known as the site where in 1924 the fossilised skull of a young Australopithecus africanus was discovered, named the Taung child. It was estimated to be between 2.8 and 3.3 million years old. This was an extremely important discovery in light of the origin of mankind. (FVDK)
Warning: the following articles contain graphic details which may upset readers
Eight people arrested in Modutung after allegedly killing a woman during mob justice
Published: October 25, 2024 By: Obakeng Maje – Taung DailyNews
Eight people were arrested by the police in Modutung village, near Taung on 25 October 2024. This follows the death of a woman, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu (40), who was burned and killed by community members on 20 October 2024.
The community members also looted spaza shops, burned Mothusiemang-Legodu’ son, Kopano Legodu (22), including her RDP house. Legodu is currently in critical condition in hospital.
Mothusiemang-Legodu, was accused of kidnapping and killing a young girl, Rethabile Molapo (11) for ritual purposes. Molapo went missing on 13 October 2024, after she was sent to go and fetch a church uniform at home. It is alleged that she was kidnapped by unknown assailants.
Her charred body was found in a pit toilet in an abandoned house three days later.
This prompted the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng to visit the area on Wednesday. Morweng, who met with both bereaved family members, said they will lead a Crime Prevention Imbizo in the troubled community.
“The Imbizo comes as a form of intervention following my visit to the community. Last week, unrest ensued after an incident of a missing child, whose lifeless body was later found. Reportedly, tensions escalated in the community and resulted in an elderly woman’s home being set alight, leading to her demise.
“We are saddened by the unfortunate turn of events and went to visit the Jackson, as well as the Mothusiemang families. As a government, we have a great interest in the case because of the nature of how the events unfolded,” he said.
Morweng further said they have resolved to embark on an Imbizo to bring peace, stability and work together with the community in the creation of a safer community. He added that the police are thoroughly handling investigations into the matter to bring justice to the families and the community at large.
“I continue to urge everyone to remain calm and allow the police to do their work. I believe that the police will do justice to the case, the district is working together with the province and all hands are on deck.
“Investigations are underway, arrests will be made and perpetrators will be brought to book,” said Morweng.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said: “We can confirm that a team was established to investigate criminal activities that engulfed Modutung village, in Taung on 20 October 2024.
“Eight people were arrested in the early hours of today. A detailed statement will be released later today.”
More people might be arrested in Modutung mob justice killing
Picture: Community members barricade internal road
Published: October 25, 2024 By: Obakeng Maje – Taung DailyNews
5 October 2024- Eight suspects who were arrested by a multi-disciplinary team assembled to investigate criminal activities that engulfed Modutung village, near Taung on 20 October 2024, are set to appear at Taung Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspects (seven men and a woman) aged between 29 and 45, were arrested in Modutung village for allegedly committing the crimes after a missing girl, Rethabile Molapo’s burnt body was found and retrieved from an unused pit latrine.
Mokgwabone said following the discovery and the funeral of Molapo, some community members took the law into their own hands.
“Among others, they allegedly kidnapped and severely assaulted the traditional healer’ son, Kopano Legodu (22), set alight the traditional healer, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu’s house and ultimately killed her after she managed to get out of the house.
“Moreover, goods were looted from a tavern and a tuckshop, which were then set ablaze. The police worked tirelessly to effect the arrest of eight suspects in the early hours of today for different offences that include attempted murder and kidnapping, arson, murder and malicious damage to property,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said all suspects are expected to appear in the Taung Magistrate’s Court on 28 October 2024. He added that investigations into the matter are underway and the possibility of more arrests cannot be ruled out.
The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the success and commended the police who were involved in the investigation, tracing and subsequent arrests of the suspects. Kwena urged members of the community to remain calm and work with the police to ensure that all those who perpetrated acts of mob justice and the killing of a young girl are brought to book to face the full might of the law.
Meanwhile, the community members have embarked on a protest. They have barricaded the internal road that links Magogong/Diplankeng and N18 road with stones and burning tyres demanding the release of those arrested.
Morweng calls for calm in Magogong after woman who was accused of witchcraft torched
Picture: The charred body of Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu and her house that was torched by enraged community members
Published: October 22, 2024 By: Obakeng Maje – Taung DailyNews
22 October 2024- The North West MEC Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng calls for calm in Magogong village, near Taung. This follows an incident of murder, torching of property and looting of a tuckshop.
This was allegedly sparked by the disappearance of a girl, Rethabile Molapo (13), on 13 October 2024. It is reported that the community was enraged by the accusations of who could be responsible for the disappearance of Molapo.
“The charred lifeless body of Molapo was discovered in a toilet of an abandoned house in Modutung village. A woman, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu was accused of kidnapping and killing Molapo.
“Mothusieman-Legodu was burned and killed, and also her house was torched. I strongly condemn these criminal activities and calls for calm. I plead with the community to allow the police to do their work, apprehend the culprits of this dastardly act,” he said.
Morweng further said he humbly pleaded with the community of Magogong not to take the law into their own hands and urged police to ensure that they leave no stone unturned/ He added that they must get to the bottom of this horrendous incident.
“I also urge those with information to report to the police, so that the perpetrators are speedily brought to book. No arrest has been effected so far and the motive behind the murder remains unknown,” said Morweng.
He said investigations are ongoing and police visibility at the area has been heightened to monitor the situation. Morweng sends his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
Unfortunately, ‘muti’ murders and violence related to ‘muti’ – literally: traditional medicine, but in practice closely associated with witchcraft – are no exception in Southern Africa notably in the Republic of South Africa. Numerous cases have been reported on this site (for specific cases: please use the scroll down menu ‘African countries’ to access ‘South Africa’).
The accompanying article presented below also confirms this sad and often cruel realty which is widespread in South Africa and neighboring countries. Reportedly, an academic investigation revealed that in South Africa alone, in 2001 almost 2500 individuals were caught with body parts in their possession, a frightening statistic. Moreover, discovered bodies with parts missing are no exception whereas it is very likely that some bodies are never found and thus, reported cases of ‘muti’ violence and murder constitute in fact the tip of the iceberg. (FVDK)
South African Man Abducted, Hands Amputated in Suspected Muti Attack
Published: March 24, 2024 By: Atlas News
What You Need to Know:
A 30-year-old walking during the early hours of the morning in Vosman, near Witbank, was attacked by six unidentified assailants on March 20th. The man had his hands and feet bound, and was told by his attackers that they planned to kill him. Instead, the attackers took the victim into a bush, amputated both of the victims hands, and took off with his body parts, leaving him to die.
Security services arrived at the scene and the man is currently recovering in hospital. Police have opened a case of attempted murder, but have yet made no breakthroughs in locating the attackers.
Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, Provincial Police Commissioner in Mpumalanga stated, “though the victim was not killed however the acts committed by the suspects are heartless and should be strongly condemned in the strongest possible way.”
The Details:
Muti, also known as umuthi in Zulu, is an alternative word for medicine in some localities but colloquially refers to witchcraft. Muti is characterized by the use of body parts in rituals to bring protection or strength to an individual or tribe. Oftentimes, victims are healthy young males, or the strongest warrior from a rival tribe.
‘Muti murders’ involve the ritual killing of an individual for the use of the victims body parts in creating ‘magical medicine.’ As stated by Harriet Ngubane, a South African Anthropologist, “in a definable part of southern African medical practice … ethics permit a practitioner to recommend in certain special cases a ritual killing.”
“Ritual homicide [carries] very high professional fees … The inyanga [expert] who prescribes a muti homicide … arrives at his advice … within the … worldview of African traditional medicine.”
However, with ritual killing now illegal in South Africa, attacks on individuals which stop short of murder but involve the amputation of limbs has increased.
An academic investigation into ‘Violent Hand Amputation and Replantation in South Africa’ conducted by Wendy Young, Pragashnie Govender, and Deshini Naidoo, claims that in 2001, almost 2500 individuals were caught with body parts in their possession. This highlights just how ingrained the practice of ritual killing is in the nation.
Analysis:
It is highly likely the man attacked in this case was a victim of a crime with connections to the practice of muti.
The practice of muti is particularly prevalent in Mpumalanga, with three doctors and a nurse suspended from Bernice Samuel Hospital in 2021 after an infant admitted with diarrhea had her hand amputated. A case of negligence was opened against the nurse and three doctors, and officially a possible muti motive was not investigated, but it is also highly likely the amputation was done so the hand could be used for ritualistic magic.
Shocking news from Zimbabwe, as reported by a national news site: ritual murders in the country are on the rise – allegedly.
Whereas the occurrence of ritualistic murders, locally often referred to as ‘muti murders’, is not in doubt – as demonstrated by the numerous cases reported on the present site, you may consult the dropdown menu ‘African countries’ to access all posts on Zimbabwe – it is nevertheless shocking to hear that there is an apparent recent surge in the number of these cruel crimes. As you may know, the organs or body parts ‘needed’ for ‘muti‘ have to be harvested from a living person.
One would think that the Tapiwa Makore murder case and the sentencing to death of his convicted murderers, his uncle and an accomplice, would deter potential perpetrators of muti related murders. According to recent newspaper reports, this is not the case.
A psychotherapist consulted (see the article below) points to mental illness as a significant factor behind these gruesome murders. I’ve often asked myself the same question: What makes someone a ritualistic murderer? Certainly, more research needs to be done as to why people ‘cross a border’ and decide to kill another human being – in a cruel way – as a means to ‘get rich quick’, to have success in business or to gain a certain (often political) position. Is it superstition? Is it a criminal mind? Selfishness? Greed? Or are ritualistic murderers mentally disturbed persons who should be treated for their ‘illness’ in stead of punished – death by hanging or a long prison sentence?
Asking the question means answering it.
Who knows the answer? (webmaster FVDK)
Zimbabwe: Ritual Killings Rise
Is the capital punishment a deterrent for potential ritualistic killers?
Published: February 3, 2024 By: ZimEye, Zimbabwe
A disturbing trend is sweeping across the nation, as reports of suspected ritual murders are on the rise, leaving communities in shock and children as primary targets of these heinous acts.
The superstitious belief that killing individuals in a specific manner, particularly involving torture and processing certain body parts, can create and maintain wealth is contributing to an alarming increase in brutal killings, leaving many with unanswered questions.
The resurgence of ritual killings has prompted concerns and calls for action from various quarters.
Traditional healer Sekuru Banda, dismissing the superstitions, condemns those who propagate such beliefs, emphasizing the need for hard work instead of seeking easy money through horrific means. Banda urges a change in mindsets, highlighting the dangers of people being led astray in pursuit of illusory wealth.
To gain further insights, a news crew sought the perspective of psychotherapist Dr. Mertha Nyamande, who points to mental illness as a significant factor behind gruesome murders.
Dr. Nyamande explains that many offenders, especially those involved in removing body parts, may suffer from mental ailments or psychopathy, challenging the notion that these acts are rooted in ritualistic beliefs. From a legal standpoint, Mr. Moffat Makuvatsine sheds light on how the law addresses ritual killings.
While there is no specific provision for such crimes, they can be treated as murder committed under aggravating circumstances, potentially carrying the death penalty or life imprisonment.
The legal expert emphasizes that any murder proved to have ulterior motives may result in severe penalties. Recent cases, including the tragic death of Tapiwa Makore, have brought the issue of ritual killings to the forefront.
Tapiwa’s killers, his uncle Tapiwa Senior and Tafadzwa Shamba, were sentenced to death for their involvement in the gruesome crime.
However, the scourge continues, with a recent incident in Guruve involving the brutal murder of a three-year-old, whose body was decapitated and burnt, with missing body parts.
The perpetrators of this heinous act remain at large, underscoring the urgency for a concerted effort from law enforcement and communities to address and eradicate the deeply troubling surge in ritual killings.
As the nation grapples with this distressing epidemic, there is a pressing need for comprehensive strategies that include education, mental health awareness, and stringent legal measures to curb the prevalence of such horrific crimes.
