Zinhle Mapumulo

Zinhle Mapumulo

A sangoma from Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, is behind bars after allegedly raping a woman who had gone to consult him on muti to help lure her boyfriend into marriage.

Petros Khumalo, 42, of Thembelihle informal settlement, appeared in the Protea court yesterday to face a charge of rape. The case was postponed to October 12 for a formal bail application.

Khumalo, a well-known sangoma in Lenasia, was arrested on Monday after a 24-year-old woman opened a case of rape against him. The woman alleged that he repeatedly raped her on Sunday night at his home.

Police spokesman Captain Mbulaeni Netshivhodza confirmed that the victim had gone for consultation when the incident happened.

"The 24-year-old was referred by her sister to the sangoma. She wanted muti that will make her boyfriend marry her. Khumalo allegedly gave her muti to drink before they could start with the process. She said she felt dizzy after drinking the muti," he said

"Khumalo then said she must lie down and he undressed her. He apparently told her that he would insert muti inside her vagina which would help her get marriage.

"He then repeatedly raped her until the next morning. When she woke up he advised her not to tell anybody as this would make the muti weak," Netshivhodza said.

The woman told her sister who had referred her to the sangoma what had happened. She then reported the matter to the police.