Tembisa-based Sangoma warns against giving criminals muthi
A Tembisa sangoma (soothsayer) has advised his colleagues against giving muthi to criminals to help them escape law enforcement.
This comes after eyewitnesses at the Bedford Centre cash-in-transit heist alleged that the suspects were under the influence of muthi.
According to the 34-year-old witness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, “The ‘bravery’ showed by the criminals upon entering the mall was out of the ordinary and only someone who has been to a sangoma could be that oblivious.”
The Tembisan caught up with a Tembisa-based sangoma, Biriviri* (loosely translated as chillies), who revealed that in most cases, criminals seek out supernatural powers as they believe it makes them invisible.
“In the old days, when men went to war they would undergo a ritual conducted by a local soothsayer. In this process, they would be given muthi to either drink or bath with. This is no longer common practice as tribal wars are no longer prominent,” he explained.
Another eyewitness claimed that next to one of the suspects there was small a bottle with strings suggesting that some ritual practice was at play. According to Biriviri, the hand of the law should also extend to the sangoma responsible for performing such acts because he/she has played a part in the heist.
He added that the bravery displayed at the scene was an indication that the suspects believed they were invisible.
“You do not just walk into a mall with AK 47 rifles, position yourself to attack and start shooting at guards. It takes a lot of determination and some kind of powers. Although I don’t believe that muthi can make one invisible, I know it can make them oblivious to their surroundings and to subsequently believe they are above the law. It is like being on high,” said Biriviri.
He emphasised that sangomas performing rituals for criminals were putting the practice of traditional healing to shame.
“Our brothers and sisters need to say no to this. These criminals pay big money, but remember that the next victim could be your family member,” he added.
