Life imprisonment for traditional healer accused of raping a child he was assisting with traditional calling
LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR TRADITIONAL HEALER ACCUSED OF RAPING A CHILD HE WAS ASSISTING WITH TRADITIONAL CALLING
Lehlohonolo Jacob Nketsi (40) has been sentenced to an effective term of life-long imprisonment by the Bloemfontein Regional Court after he was found guilty of raping a 15-year-old girl. In September 2022, the mother of the victim took the child (the victim) to the accused, a traditional healer to help her with her ancestral calling. The child was left in the care of the accused as the mother had trusted him and had high hopes that her daughter was going to get the assistance she needed. While in the care of the accused, instead of helping the victim as he had promised he started to rape the child.
The child reported the incidents to her mother and the matter was reported to the police. A case of rape was opened, and the accused was arrested, during bail application, the prosecution successfully opposed it, and he was remanded in custody until the finalisation of the matter. During the trial, the prosecution led by Regional Court Prosecutor, Thumeka Jama argued that the accused used his power to exploit the victim and showed no remorse for his actions. As a traditional healer, he knew that the victim and her family trusted him, instead he took advantage of the family. The court sentenced the accused to life imprisonment for raping the child.
The National Prosecuting Authority remains committed to the fight against the scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) particularly against women and children.
Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Northern Cape Division
MSenokoatsane@npa.gov.za
073 423 3539