Latest news with #traditionalhealer
The Sun
7 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Evil mum who SOLD daughter Joshlin Smith, 6, ‘to healer who wanted her eyes and skin' & was never seen again is jailed
A SICK mother who sold her six-year-old daughter "for her eyes and skin" has been sentenced to life in prison. Racquel "Kelly" Smith, from South Africa, was jailed alongside two accomplices after being found guilty of kidnapping and trafficking. 2 2 The trial heard that the child, Joshlin Smith, was sold to a traditional healer for her body parts and never seen again. .
The Herald
25-05-2025
- The Herald
How Nkandla's alleged rape 'Houdini' was caught by traditional healer
This week the rural village of Hlosane in Nkandla in northern KwaZulu-Natal and social media were gripped by a serial rape suspect who, like a modern-day Houdini, escaped police custody — only to be dramatically rearrested through a citizens' effort. The suspect, accused of raping six teenage pupils, had terrorised high school girls renting rooms near Bizimali High School. His most recent escape from custody — after feigning a seizure at Mariannhill police station spread fear through the community, forcing some students to abandon their dormitories and disrupting classes at the school. At the centre of his capture was 33-year-old traditional healer Mnotho Xaba, who had unknowingly assisted the suspect weeks earlier. Xaba is a popular traditional healer whose services are sought locally and nationally. During an interview at the Dalton Hostel on Saturday he said he specialises in healing people, giving charms to those seeking love or money and those who want to strengthen themselves against their enemies. 'When I saw his picture trending on social media as an escaped serial rape suspect, I told people at the hostel, including his homeboys from Nkandla, that I knew him,' Xaba said. The suspect had approached the healer saying he was seeking protection and strength after an altercation with the mother of his child and feared her brothers would attack him. Xaba said he didn't know the suspect was wanted for the sexual attacks and had only paid him R1,000 of his [Xaba's] R5,000 fee. On Thursday morning, while driving his child to school, Xaba received word a man in a big coat was looking for him. 'I couldn't believe my eyes — it was the same man. I kept him waiting while I alerted others, including people from Nkandla. We conducted a citizen's arrest and called the police, who arrived and took him into custody.' The suspect's alleged reign of terror had prompted swift action from the Nkandla Taxi Owners Association, who formed a team and travelled more than 230km to his hideout in eTshelimnyama, Marianhill. 'We couldn't ignore the cries of the Bizimali High School pupils. But we were devastated when, after leaving him with the police, he lulled them to sleep and escaped. If not for the traditional healer, he would still be at large,' one taxi operator said.
The Herald
23-05-2025
- The Herald
Nkandla rape suspect rearrested after seeking help from traditional healer
KwaZulu-Natal premier Thami Ntuli commended the community for unifying against gender-based violence by playing a decisive role in police tracking down and apprehending the rape suspect. Ntuli is expected to visit the Mariannhill police station with provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkwanazi on Friday where a criminal case will be opened against the brother of the Bizimali suspect, who has allegedly been threatening key witnesses involved in the case. 'We are taking a firm stance. Intimidating witnesses is a direct attack on justice, and we will act decisively to protect those who come forward,' said Ntuli. He commended police for their swift action in re-arresting the suspect who reportedly approached a traditional healer seeking intervention in his case. The traditional healer, suspecting foul play, alerted the police. 'The collaboration between communities and law enforcement remains vital. I applaud the traditional healer for acting decisively and thank the SAPS for responding swiftly.' TimesLIVE
