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WITNESS STAND: Saziso Gegeleza, a NUM leader at Lonmin's Rowland shaft, gives evidence yesterday. PHOTO: Moeletsi Mabe

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Saziso Gegeleza, a NUM leader at Lonmin's Rowland shaft, made this startling revelation when he was quizzed about claims that striking rock-drillers at Lonmin's Marikana mine in Rustenburg were given muthi by a sangoma for protection.

Gegeleza was responding to a question by counsel for the police advocate Ishmael Semenya on whether he used muthi to be strong or to protect himself or if he was aware of this practice.

"The only medicine I used is to attract girlfriends," he said.

"I haven't been exposed to anybody who is using traditional medicine for purposes of making themselves strong.

"I'm aware of the practice whereby people make incisions on their bodies ... but that is usually done by those who want to protect themselves against tokoloshes," he said.

"If the muthi is good for the tokoloshes, can it be good for human beings?" asked Semenya, to which Gegeleza replied he did not know.

When South African Police Service's footage depicting naked men standing in a single line for what appeared to be a ritual was shown yet again yesterday, Gegeleza described it as "unusual".

- nhlabathih@sowetan.co.za

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Tue May 21 16:11:20 SAST 2013 ::

Jan 31, 2013

Pointman

This is what ignorance creates. The 34 died out of ignorance. All bad things arise out of ignorance be it racism, casteism or superstitions like tokoloshe, jesus, allah or whatever.
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Jan 31, 2013

MorenaWaPolelo

This guy is not honest maan!!
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Jan 31, 2013

RobinX

Oh my. Muthi to attract women. Try charisma, you ignorant fool.
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Jan 31, 2013

Dubul'Amanzi

RobinX
Oh my. Muthi to attract women. Try charisma, you ignorant fool.
****
Morning did you sleep well?
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Jan 31, 2013

MorenaWaPolelo

This guy must get tested, having said that I must say the ignorance of the miners is exposed and gee weez shocking world they live in!!!! That is why they cleans with muthi to get shot and then blamed is on the rabbit or a rat, eish being backward and illeterate is a double blow maan!!!
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Jan 31, 2013

oldlady12

So they wanted to make girlfriends out of the cops before they are arrested to make their lives in the cells easier?
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Jan 31, 2013

MorenaWaPolelo

oldlady12
read the article!!!!
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Jan 31, 2013

MommaC

LOL
... and how is that working out for you, Sparky :)
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Jan 31, 2013

Chichi7

Are we still that ignorant in this day and age?
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Jan 31, 2013

MorenaWaPolelo

MommaC
LOL
... and how is that working out for you, Sparky :)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If that muthi was working Skhebereshe would have been attracted to me ...Lol :)
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