A LIMPOPO village is in the grip of fear as residents wait on a sangoma's promise to solve the mystery of a five-year-old girl who went missing two weeks ago.
The Grade R pupil, Lethabile Rakubu, went missing in GaSekgopo near Modjadjiskloof two weeks ago while on her way to school.
Residents paid sangomas and prophets to sniff out the people they believed were responsible for the disappearance.
An elderly woman and her son who were fingered by the sangomas, were rescued by police and taken into hiding when a mob tried to attack them.
According the Witchcraft Suppression Amendment Act 50 of 1970, it is an offence to "employ or solicit any witchdoctor, witch-finder or any other person to name or indicate any person as a wizard". But residents of GaSekgopo do not seem to care.
"Residents have already paid the sangoma R5000 upfront, but he demanded R15000," said Matome Ramohlale from the Sekgopo Traditional Council .
"He even took one of the family members with him to point out the spot [where the girl is buried]."
Limpopo police spokeswoman Ronnel Otto said residents paying sangomas had nothing to do with the police. Despite the clarity of the law, Otto added: "It really doesn't have anything to do with the police. The community are doing it of their free will, " she said.
"We can only investigate if somebody opens a case such as theft or fraud with the police."
But the situation remains tense in the village as residents wait for more money to be raised to pay the sangoma.
The unemployed are approaching other residents to raise money. Meanwhile, children have been kept away from school as the community fears for their safety.
Sowetan has learnt that the sangoma they paid is from Seshego, in Polokwane, and has told villagers that the spot where he believes the child is buried is in a mountainous forest .
Residents said they have lost hope of finding the child alive, but still hoped to find her body.
They believed she was kidnapped by ritual murderers.
"This thing is taking long and nothing is happening. V illagers are ready to pay the balance but they need him to find the child first," said Ramohlale. "He now tells us he will never help us get the child until the outstanding R10000 is paid."
Sangoma holds village to ransom
A LIMPOPO village is in the grip of fear as residents wait on a sangoma's promise to solve the mystery of a five-year-old girl who went missing two weeks ago.
The Grade R pupil, Lethabile Rakubu, went missing in GaSekgopo near Modjadjiskloof two weeks ago while on her way to school.
Residents paid sangomas and prophets to sniff out the people they believed were responsible for the disappearance.
An elderly woman and her son who were fingered by the sangomas, were rescued by police and taken into hiding when a mob tried to attack them.
According the Witchcraft Suppression Amendment Act 50 of 1970, it is an offence to "employ or solicit any witchdoctor, witch-finder or any other person to name or indicate any person as a wizard". But residents of GaSekgopo do not seem to care.
"Residents have already paid the sangoma R5000 upfront, but he demanded R15000," said Matome Ramohlale from the Sekgopo Traditional Council .
"He even took one of the family members with him to point out the spot [where the girl is buried]."
Limpopo police spokeswoman Ronnel Otto said residents paying sangomas had nothing to do with the police. Despite the clarity of the law, Otto added: "It really doesn't have anything to do with the police. The community are doing it of their free will, " she said.
"We can only investigate if somebody opens a case such as theft or fraud with the police."
But the situation remains tense in the village as residents wait for more money to be raised to pay the sangoma.
The unemployed are approaching other residents to raise money. Meanwhile, children have been kept away from school as the community fears for their safety.
Sowetan has learnt that the sangoma they paid is from Seshego, in Polokwane, and has told villagers that the spot where he believes the child is buried is in a mountainous forest .
Residents said they have lost hope of finding the child alive, but still hoped to find her body.
They believed she was kidnapped by ritual murderers.
"This thing is taking long and nothing is happening. V illagers are ready to pay the balance but they need him to find the child first," said Ramohlale. "He now tells us he will never help us get the child until the outstanding R10000 is paid."
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos