A Limpopo community has resorted to collecting funds to pay for a prophet to reveal the whereabouts of vanished son of Robben Island veteran and former MP Mahwidi John Phala.
Sowetan previously reported that a missing person's docket was opened with the police after Charles Phala, 52, vanished from his home in Diphagane village near Jane Furse about a month ago.
Phala's disappearance caused tensions in the area resulting in desperate residents burning down the house of a man they suspected of having a hand in his disappearance.
Yesterday community leader Daniel Kaledi Maabane said residents met last Friday and resolved to consult a prophet who would tell them what happened to Phala.
Maabane said he and other community leaders had to go around looking for quotations from different prophets and spiritual healers.
He said they finally found a prophet who said he could reveal to them where Phala was and also who was behind his disappearance.
The circumstances behind his disappearance are still not clear.
Phala's family had previously said they suspected Charles was targeted by people who were not pleased with his involvement in anti-crime campaigns in the area.
Maabane said the community would have to pay R12000 including R5000 for consultation while the rest would go towards transporting the prophet and his entourage.
He warned that things might turn ugly once the prophet revealed more information.
"I don't want to lie. It is going to be bad. The burning of that house was a minor thing compared to what is going to happen," Maabane said.
He said people from neighbouring villages had also donated because Phala was a well-known community activist.
All of his belongings, including his phones, were found inside his house after he went missing. Only a window was broken
Provincial police spokeswoman, Colonel Ronel Otto, cautioned the villagers and urged them to rely on police investigations.
"We encourage people to rather go to the police. Do not put your faith on wrong information which could lead to the deaths of people or the possible destruction of property," Otto said.
She said people should also report any information they had on the case to the police.
Phala's brother, Nkrumah, said the family welcomed any help that could lead to his brother being found.
"If there's anyone who is trying to help find my brother I have no problem with that," he said.
He said their mother, Telekishane, was coping with the support of the community and other relatives.
mahopoz@sowetan.co.za
Prophet sought to find missing man
A Limpopo community has resorted to collecting funds to pay for a prophet to reveal the whereabouts of vanished son of Robben Island veteran and former MP Mahwidi John Phala.
Sowetan previously reported that a missing person's docket was opened with the police after Charles Phala, 52, vanished from his home in Diphagane village near Jane Furse about a month ago.
Phala's disappearance caused tensions in the area resulting in desperate residents burning down the house of a man they suspected of having a hand in his disappearance.
Yesterday community leader Daniel Kaledi Maabane said residents met last Friday and resolved to consult a prophet who would tell them what happened to Phala.
Maabane said he and other community leaders had to go around looking for quotations from different prophets and spiritual healers.
He said they finally found a prophet who said he could reveal to them where Phala was and also who was behind his disappearance.
The circumstances behind his disappearance are still not clear.
Phala's family had previously said they suspected Charles was targeted by people who were not pleased with his involvement in anti-crime campaigns in the area.
Maabane said the community would have to pay R12000 including R5000 for consultation while the rest would go towards transporting the prophet and his entourage.
He warned that things might turn ugly once the prophet revealed more information.
"I don't want to lie. It is going to be bad. The burning of that house was a minor thing compared to what is going to happen," Maabane said.
He said people from neighbouring villages had also donated because Phala was a well-known community activist.
All of his belongings, including his phones, were found inside his house after he went missing. Only a window was broken
Provincial police spokeswoman, Colonel Ronel Otto, cautioned the villagers and urged them to rely on police investigations.
"We encourage people to rather go to the police. Do not put your faith on wrong information which could lead to the deaths of people or the possible destruction of property," Otto said.
She said people should also report any information they had on the case to the police.
Phala's brother, Nkrumah, said the family welcomed any help that could lead to his brother being found.
"If there's anyone who is trying to help find my brother I have no problem with that," he said.
He said their mother, Telekishane, was coping with the support of the community and other relatives.
mahopoz@sowetan.co.za
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