Young sangoma lured his murder victims through TikTok

The 27-year-old sangoma is accused of the mysterious murder of married a couple from Cacadu and a retired police Colonel.

One of South Africa's worst-ever killers won't be seeing the light of day any time soon after being convicted and sentenced. Image: Pixabay

A 27-year-old traditional healer (sangoma) and his co-accused were denied bail in the Libode Magistrate’s Court in Eastern Cape on Tuesday, 22 November. The accused faces three charges of murder.

SANGOMA REMANDED IN CUSTODY

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Luxulo Tyali said Thandazani ‘Zanezulu’ Mcetywa faces three counts of murder for the alleged killing of a married couple and a retired police Colonel.

Mcetywa was arrested in April 2022 after the married couple from Cacadu were found dead in their car after consulting with him.

“Further police investigations led to the addition of a further charge of murder relating to the mysterious death of Colonel Fikela under similar circumstances,” said the NPA spokesperson.

The sangoma allegedly lured his victims through adverts on social media platforms, including TikTok, where he claimed to have the ability to bestow clients with untold riches.

“His co-accused, Anathi Doris Njikazi, the niece of the late Colonel Fikela, was also denied bail. She is charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

“She allegedly conspired with Mcetywa to have her aunt killed as she wanted to benefit from the pension monies the ex-police officer expected, after her long service in the SAPS,” said Tyali.

State Prosecutor Advocate Yongama Hlangu argued that the case against the sangoma and his co-accused was very serious.

The court found that the pair failed to prove that there were exceptional circumstances that permitted their release on bail. The matter was postponed to 30 December for investigations to be wrapped up before the matter is transferred to a higher court.

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