Murder accused sangoma allegedly drank victim’s blood

[THE FOLLOWING STORY CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT]

The Pretoria High Court has heard disturbing details of how the two men accused of Sebenzile Maphanga’s killing allegedly drank her blood and mutilated her body.

Sangoma Frans Nkuna, accused of leading the ritual, appeared in court today.

According to the state’s case, Maphanga’s lover, Collen Mathonsi, lured her to Nkuna’s premises in October 2020 after spiking her drink and rendering her unconscious.

Nkuna allegedly bludgeoned Maphanga to death with a hammer, drained her blood into a bucket, and disposed of some body parts.

It’s alleged that Mathonsi, aspiring to become a traditional healer, sought Nkuna to carry out the murder in exchange for spiritual power.

“This man proposed love to her, but within two weeks she was dead. Too many women have suffered this fate,” community activist, Precious Matsi, told YNews, lamenting the brutal crime.

Maphanga’s loved ones are still seeking closure and say they will find peace once all of her body parts, including her genitalia, are recovered.

On the sidelines of the court case, the deceased’s uncle David Nkosi told YNews that the sangoma was known as dangerous, adding that it’s not the first time he’s been accused of ritual killing.

Mathonsi has since been sentenced to 35 years in prison and is now a state witness against Nkuna, who pleaded not guilty to murder charges.

The trial continues on Thursday. Written by Naomi Kobbie