Bogus traditional healer sentenced for rape

Bogus traditional healer Bongani Mafolela, accused of rape and attempted rape, was this week sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for two separate offences.

Mafolela (24) was convicted and sentenced by the Molopo Regional Court in the North West.

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He was given 10 years for the rape he committed in 2022 and five years for the attempted rape he committed in 2024.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) North West Province spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya, said the court added that both sentences run consecutively, and his name be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The court heard that on 6 February 2022, Mafolela met one of the victims in Imperial Reserve, Mafikeng.

Claiming to be a traditional healer, he ‘prophesied’ that she had an evil spirit that needed to be removed and persuaded her to visit his surgery the following day.

During the consultation, Mafolela prepared a bath for the victim to ‘cleanse’ herself. She became suspicious when he refused to leave the room, but complied because she believed she needed help.

After the bath, he instructed her to lie on the bed, after which he raped her, warning her not to report it otherwise she might be involved in an accident.

In April 2022, after discovering she was pregnant, the victim reported the matter to the police, leading to Mafolela’s arrest. He was later released on bail.

While out on bail, on 4 September 2024, Mafolela met another victim in Montshioa, Mmabatho. After claiming she had a spiritual calling, he shared a drink with her, which made her feel dizzy and sleepy.

While she was lying down, she realised her tracksuit pants had been pulled down and saw Mafolela undressing himself. She resisted and reported the matter to the police, leading to his rearrest the following day.

In court, Mafolela pleaded not guilty. Advocate Kefentse Diseko argued that youthfulness should not automatically mitigate sentences in serious offences like rape, and urged the court to consider the alarming prevalence of GBV in South Africa.

In delivering judgment, Regional Court Magistrate Mathews found that Mafolela abused cultural beliefs and his position as a traditional healer to exploit his victims.

The court further ordered a search and seizure operation at his premises to check for drugs or weapons.

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