POLICE in Mecklenburg, Limpopo, have arrested a 55-year-old man for allegedly setting alight the house of a 70-year-old woman after he suspected that she had killed his son through witchcraft.

Police said that the house was set alight on Sunday while the pensioner was attending a church service in Mooihoek village outside Burgersfort in Limpopo.

Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mohale Ramatseba estimated the damage at R300,000.

"According to the information on the charge sheet, the pensioner was attending a church service when her house was burned down.

"The man allegedly accused her of having caused the death of his 26-year-old son through witchcraft.

"The son died on Sunday after complaining of stomach pains for about three days."

Police expect to make more arrests and Ramatseba said the suspect is expected to appear before the Mecklenburg Magistrate's Court soon.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Simon Mpembe has strongly condemned the burning of the woman's house and said pointing out someone as a witch was a serious offence.

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Thu May 23 03:16:21 SAST 2013 ::

Feb 7, 2012

ApelMankotsana

Does Sowetan have reporters in other provinces? Please report something about the Northern Cape or Western Cape.....We need something new....if it's not Malema, it's witchcraft, rape or murder.....Re tennwe.
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Feb 7, 2012

RobinH

HELLO. It's 2012 people! No such thing as witchcraft.
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Feb 7, 2012

webcaddler

I think thats why its called Sowetan, Most of the news will be based in Areas of surrounding Soweto en Joburg and the issues you have highlighted are probably the most that happened in those areas, muder,rape,witchcraft etc. The rate at which those issues are happening it doesnt even surprises people anymore instead they r bored infact people from Joburg would be surprised to wake up and spend the whole day with out hearing such news......Whow its a sin must say
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Feb 7, 2012

Papage

Hello, Limpopo witchcrafts attend Church? what do we call that? Boloi ko kerekeng. I wonder which Church is this?
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Feb 7, 2012

pik_it_up

lol RobinH

You say that as if it (witchcraft) came and decided to leave????

and id like to know why the father suspects the women, did the son steal from the woman then the women taught him a lesson?

was the son working and the woman was jealous cos her children arent working??

what? what? whats the core story?
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Feb 7, 2012

RobinH

pik-it-up. I say that in that manner because it is just unbelievable that in this day and age people still even talk about witchcraft as though it exists. Perfectly normal English usage.
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Feb 7, 2012

pik_it_up

withcraft is not a myth @RobinH

it is is found in many native cultures, it like religion is a strong belief but instead it involves eveil spirits and works for those who believe in it like christians believe in God and see his miracles

im not trying to make you confirm to it buit instead acknowledge it cis trust me its here and alive
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Feb 7, 2012

RobinH

pik-it-up. I am not saying that the belief does not exist, It clearly does. Beliefs in so-called supernatural things exists everywhere but are just not logical, whether they be from the so-called Christian mythology, or some animist folk-tale. Of course people believe this hogwash, but many also believed in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny till they were about 5. Then one grows up and sees that it is all just some manipulative story.
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Feb 7, 2012

lindsay

i bet he is accussing her of witchcraft because she is lonely and old , or he was jealous of her achievements, i bet his w i f e is a witch too but he is not going to burn her.
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Feb 7, 2012

XHINOPHOBIA

LIMPOMPO THIS LIMPOMPO THAT DAT PROVINCE IS A WITCHRAFT ON ITS OWN,AMASHANGANE MARA TJO I WILL NEVER DATE A SHANGANE PERIOD NO BUBI.
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