A traditional healer (37) was arrested on 14 October 2025 at around 19:30, after a case was opened against him in connection with an alleged rape incident involving a 12-year-old girl from Kamdladla.
According to the report, the victim and her 10-year-old brother were sent by their grandmother to their aunt, who lives nearby. On their way back, they encountered the suspect, who is known to the grandmother. It is alleged that he had been at the grandmother’s house when he overheard that the children were going out, and then followed them.
The suspect allegedly lured the children into nearby bushes under the pretext of collecting soil for traditional use. Once there, he reportedly instructed the younger child to wait while he took the 12-year-old girl deeper into the bush, where he allegedly raped her.
After the ordeal, the suspect left the victim and her brother, who then returned to their aunt’s house and reported the incident.
The matter was reported to the police, the case was assigned to Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) in Tonga they investigated leading to the swift arrest of the suspect.
The suspect appeared before the Nkomazi District Court today, 16 October 2025, the suspect remained in custody and the case was postponed to 21 October 2025 for further investigation.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, welcomed the arrest and condemned the alleged actions. “Traditional healers are trusted figures in our communities, often relied upon for guidance and healing. It is shameful and criminal when such individuals betray that trust by committing heinous crimes,” said Major General Mkhwanazi.
