Family loses everything due to community’s witchcraft allegations
The Sekgobela family in Apiesdoring is now homeless after angry community members burnt down their house
BURGERSFORT – The Sekgobela family in Apiesdoring is now homeless after angry community members burnt down their house.
The family had to flee the Apiesdoring Village on December 7 after the mob had destroyed their property and torched their house. Burgersfort SAPS spokesman,
Const Victoria Maluleke said this happened after the Sekgobelas had been accused of practising witchcraft.
“They burnt their properties but luckily, we managed to rescue the whole family. They are now kept in a safer place. We are currently investigating an arson case,” she said.
According to sources the mob barricaded the roads leading to Apiesdoring with tyres to prevent the police from disturbing them while torching the house. A neighbour revealed that the Sekgobela family’s dogs were also severely beaten.
A neighbour, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed the family was alleged to have used young kids to bewitch families in the Apiesdoring area.
“There is no truth in the matter, the woman in the Sekgobela family is a vocal and good woman in the society. They burnt her house after two kids in the area alleged she was using them to practise witchcraft. I don’t think we have to listen to children and decide to take this big step,” the neighbour said.
When Steelburger/Lydenburg News visited the scene, the corrugated iron roof had collapsed and smoke was still emanating in the house. Burgersfort police revealed that they were still busy with investigations and no arrests had been made.
