The police in eMbalenhle, Mpumalanga, are investigating cases of sodomy or rape against a male sangoma and three other men.

eMbalenhle police spokesperson Constable Busi Mthethwa says the mother of an 11-year-old boy searched for her son on October 28 at the sangoma’s home in Extension 15, as the boy frequented it.

She found her son at the sangoma’s house and asked him why he kept returning to the man’s home when she warned him not to.

“The boy told his mother the sangoma and his three friends allegedly forced him to smoke dagga and then raped him,” says Mthethwa.

The boy later identified the sangoma when he went to the shop. The mother then allegedly confronted the suspects and asked why they gave her son dagga.

The four men claimed the boy brought the dagga to them.

The mother then grabbed a bag from one of the men and allegedly found dagga inside. She went to the police to open a rape case.

Another 11-year-old boy’s parents also opened a rape case against the same sangoma. The alleged assault happened on October 25.

Mthethwa says the mother of a third boy, aged 12, told the police her son and his two friends also visited the sangoma’s residence. The children brought the sangoma and friends dagga.

The sangoma then allegedly touched the boys’ genitals, exposed himself, and instructed them to have sex with him, Mthethwa adds.

The cases are being investigated.

No arrests have yet been made.