The provincial police in Limpopo have arrested a person this week on a charge of naming another individual as a "wizard", authorities said. The suspect faces prosecution under the Witchcraft Suppression Act 3 of 1957 and is expected to appear in court next week, the police reported.
What the law prescribes
The Witchcraft Suppression Act remains on the statute book and prescribes both criminal penalties and corporal punishment for offences related to accusing someone of witchcraft. According to police briefing notes, penalties include a maximum fine of R1 000, imprisonment for up to 10 years, and whipping not exceeding 10 strokes for a single offence.
For persons found to have a continuing practice of accusing others — described in the Act as a "habit" of being a witch-finder — the punishment is heavier: up to 20 years’ imprisonment, whipping not exceeding 10 strokes, or both, the police statement said.
| Offence | Maximum punishment |
|---|---|
| Naming someone as a wizard | Fine R1 000, up to 10 years' imprisonment, whipping up to 10 strokes |
| Habitual witch-finding | Up to 20 years' imprisonment and/or whipping up to 10 strokes |
Context in Limpopo and the wider impact
Police did not release further details about the circumstances of the arrest or the people involved. The brief statement comes as South Africa has repeatedly seen violent incidents linked to claims of witchcraft, particularly in rural communities where traditional beliefs and social tensions intersect.
Recent convictions demonstrate the severe outcomes when accusations escalate. In July, a 25-year-old man in an unrelated case was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment after killing a child during an alleged arson attack on his aunt’s home; the court heard he believed his relatives were practising witchcraft and blamed them for family illness. Two months earlier, a 47-year-old man, Samuel Ndesi, received a combined jail term of 28 years for murdering his mother after accusing her of bewitching him, police records show.
"Ndesi, who was under the influence of alcohol, confronted his mother, Retuie Ndesi (68) and accused her of bewitching him and other members of the family. He then took out a knife and fatally stabbed her," said Police spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, describing the earlier conviction and sentencing.
Such cases have prompted calls from community leaders, traditional authorities and civil-society groups for improved local education, conflict-resolution mechanisms and better cooperation between customary leaders and the police to prevent vigilante justice and deadly attacks.
Practical information for communities
Police urged residents to use lawful channels should they suspect criminal behaviour rather than taking allegations into their own hands. SAPS maintains that accusations alone do not constitute proof and that the criminal justice system must handle any suspected offences, the provincial statement said.
- Anyone fearing for their safety or facing threats over witchcraft allegations should report the matter at their nearest police station.
- Victims of violence can ask to be referred to social workers through SAPS or the provincial social development office.
- Community members can seek mediation from recognised traditional leaders who work with municipal and police structures to defuse disputes.
The incident and the ongoing legal framework underline the tensions between customary beliefs, rural livelihoods and modern criminal law in Limpopo. As the case proceeds to court next week, investigators and prosecutors will determine whether the matter fits the threshold of the Witchcraft Suppression Act or should be charged differently under general criminal statutes.
Because the police provided limited detail on the recent arrest, further information will become available only through court records or subsequent police updates. Residents are encouraged to follow official channels for verified information and to avoid spreading unverified accusations that could inflame community tensions.
