Limpopo police arrest suspect for ‘pointing someone out as a wizard’
Punishment for such a crime is a fine of no more than R1 000, no more than 10 years imprisonment, "and whipping not exceeding 10 strokes".
In Limpopo, a suspect has been arrested after accusing someone of being a "wizard," according to the province's police. This week, the individual was charged under the Witchcraft Suppression Act 3 of 1957. The police have not provided specific details about the alleged offense, but indicate the suspect will face court proceedings next week to address the charge.
The Witchcraft Suppression Act outlines penalties for naming someone as a wizard, which include a fine of up to R1,000, imprisonment for a maximum of 10 years, and a whipping of no more than ten strokes. If the accused is found to have a "habit" of being a "witch-finder," they could face up to 20 years in prison, a whipping of no more than ten strokes, or both imprisonment and whipping.
Witchcraft allegations have played a role in several court cases in recent years. In July, a 25-year-old man was handed a 20-year prison sentence for killing a child during an arson attack on his aunt's home. The defendant claimed that the victim was responsible for the ill health of his uncle and grandmother, alleging witchcraft.
Two months prior, Samuel Ndesi, 47, was sentenced to 28 years in prison for murdering his biological mother, Retuie Ndesi, after accusing her of bewitching him and other family members. Ndesi, under the influence of alcohol, took a knife and fatally stabbed his mother, leading to his arrest and subsequent sentencing on May 8, 2026.
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