Family wants answers after mother dies at traditional healer’s school in Kinross

The Dhlamini family is on a quest for justice following the death of Maria Dhlamini (49), who allegedly died during a traditional healing initiation at a school in Kinross on March 28.

The family’s distress has been compounded by an apparent lack of transparency from the traditional healer and local authorities, raising questions about the practices and oversight within the traditional healing community. Palesa Dhlamini, Maria’s daughter, spoke passionately about her mother’s journey as a traditional healer.

“My mother was a full Gobela (traditional healer) as she completed her initiation passage last year. We were stunned when the traditional healer who initiated her claimed there were additional rites she needed to complete.

“My mother complied with the traditional healer’s request and returned early this year, leading to the family’s devastating discovery that she had died months later.”

The family learnt of Maria’s death only after the traditional healer had already transported her body to a mortuary without the family’s consent.

“We were told that my mother died on March 28, yet they did not notify us,” said Palesa.

In their search for answers, the Dhlamini family approached the Kinross police to file a case, but they turned away the family.

“They told us they could not open a case without a postmortem report. How do we obtain a postmortem report when our mother’s body was taken without our agreement?”

Their plight did not end there.

“After being refused assistance by authorities in both Kinross and eMbalenhle, we sought justice through traditional channels,” explained Palesa.

Under the leadership of Chief Jan Mahlangu, the family presented their case against the traditional healer at a gathering at the eMbalenhle traditional kraal on March 30.

Palesa said while her family did not receive the closure they sought, they expressed gratitude for Chief Mahlangu’s willingness to listen.

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“We appreciate the chief for hearing our concerns and taking the matter seriously. However, the family remains unsettled, feeling the lack of regulation and oversight in traditional healing practices puts vulnerable individuals at risk.”

Mahlangu said his traditional court is rallying behind the Dhlamini family and raised concerns about the need for greater accountability in the traditional healing sector.

“This is a criminal case; how can the traditional healer do such a thing? What was she hiding about the incident? And worse, the healer did not inform Maria’s husband but went straight to her daughter.”

Chief Mahlangu said if it is true that the healer arranged a company from Bethal to remove the body, without police and medical personnel being summoned to the scene, it is a crime.

“We advised the family to open a criminal case for the traditional healer to be arrested because we have also uncovered troubling information regarding the healer’s credentials.

“She does not have a permit or certificate from a recognised organisation that grants her permission to practice traditional healing or initiating those with a calling to become sangomas or traditional healers,” said Mahlangu.

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Palesa said her family went to see her mother’s body at the mortuary on March 31 and were shocked by what the doctor who had to conduct a postmortem told them.

“The doctor said it was difficult to conduct a postmortem because my mother’s body started to decompose. When did she die? We suspect she died some days before her body was removed,” said Palesa.

The Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, said it was not true that the police denied the Dhlamini family to open a case at the Kinross Police Station.

Ndubane said according to information from the Kinross police, the family wanted the police to accompany them to serve the traditional healer with a summons from the local chief to appear before the traditional court in eMbalenhle.

“According to the station, they are not aware of the incident but the family can open a case at Kinross Police Station, as they suspect foul play in their family member’s death.

“What they also need to know is that after opening a case, the body might be exhumed for investigation if they have already buried a deceased,” said Ndubane.

The family is preparing to bury Maria on April 12, in Qwaqwa in the Free State.