TRADITIONAL NURSE SENTENCED TO DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR ASSAULTING AN INITIATE

08 July 2025

TRADITIONAL NURSE SENTENCED TO DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR ASSAULTING AN INITIATE

Tsomo, Eastern Cape – The Tsomo Magistrates’ Court has sentenced a traditional nurse, Siyasanga Sifumba (30), to two years of direct imprisonment for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) on an initiate under his care during the 2024 summer initiation season. The court further declared Sifumba, who has a previous conviction for assault GBH, unfit to possess a firearm.

Sifumba was arrested on 17 December 2024, following the hospitalisation of an 18-year-old initiate entrusted to his care. The assaults, which occurred on three separate occasions, involved the use of a wooden stick to strike the victim’s knees, kicking him with boots, and threatening him with a knife. The victim’s older brother, a recent graduate of the initiation process, witnessed the brutal beatings. Sifumba also issued death threats to both brothers and their parents. As a result of the abuse, the initiate was unable to complete his initiation.

The prosecution successfully opposed bail, highlighting that the accused is a relative of the victim and his brother. During the trial, Prosecutor Elihle Mbutho presented compelling evidence from the complainant, his brother, and a medical doctor who examined the victim. Sifumba pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing, instead claiming that the initiate had alleged he was being assaulted at night by old women "bewitching" him. The court rejected this defence as highly improbable, concurring with the prosecution that the severity of the injuries warranted a custodial sentence.

Welcoming the judgment, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Advocate Barry Madolo, commended the bravery of the victim and his brother for standing up against abuse and cooperating with the court. “Their courageous actions should serve as an example to other initiates who are rescued from abusive initiation schools. We urge them not to hide behind the secrecy of this sacred rite of passage to manhood, but rather to speak out so that justice may prevail,” said Madolo.

Issued by:

Luxolo Tyali
NPA Regional Spokesperson – Eastern Cape Division
Tel: 047 501 2630
Email: ltyali@npa.gov.za