{
  "id": 13386374,
  "title": "Sangoma jailed for client’s murder after blaming ancestors",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/sangoma-jailed-for-clients-murder-after-blaming-ancestors",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-10T10:35:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/courts/sangoma-jailed-for-clients-murder-after-blaming-ancestors/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Atamelang Regional Court sentenced 31-year-old sangoma William Thibedi to life in prison for the premeditated murder of his client. Thibedi lured the deceased into a cleansing ritual that took place at night in a secluded bush area. After performing the ritual alone with the deceased, Thibedi murdered and beheaded him. The two men returned and found Thibedi cutting off the deceased's head with a knife. Thibedi buried the body and threatened his brother and friend to keep quiet. His younger brother reported him missing in December 2022, leading to Thibedi's arrest. Thibedi confessed and showed police where he buried the deceased. The sangoma was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. The prosecutor's office praised the sentence, stating it sends a strong message against exploiting vulnerable individuals for criminal purposes.",
  "summary": "Warning: This article contains graphic details that some readers may find disturbing.",
  "key_points": [
    "Sangoma William Thibedi sentenced to life in prison",
    "Client murdered during cleansing ritual in bush",
    "Thibedi declared unfit to possess firearm"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}