Mystery surrounds the presence of a 39-year-old traditional healer, who was the subject of ridicule on Wednesday, when he was found clad in traditional healing regalia and holding something believed to be muti, outside the house of a well-known businessman and member of the royal family, Jeffrey Hlungwani at Shitlhelani in Malamulele.

Thousands of people who came from as far a neighbouring towns of Giyani and Thohoyandou came to watch Nghunyutu Phillip Mondlane, whom people believe to be a witch, failing to go away from outside the gate of the house of Mathebula, a member of the Zion Christian Church group.

The man, who is believed to be from the Rhulani Settlement for Mozambican refugees, was not talking but was moving to the gate of the house and was holding a root from a tree in the right hand and something unidentified, but believed to be muti, in his left hand. Thousands of people, including Chief Elvis Madonsi, descended on the place to see him, but he was not fazed by the big crowd.

The owner of the house was not present, but his younger brother, Willy Madonsi, said the family believed the man was doing some-thing devilish. Crowds of people swarmed to the area, but the man only shadow-boxed, moving to the gate and back. It seemed that something unseen by the naked eye was preventing him from leaving the scene and this made people believe he is witch, controlled by a powerful force.

An altercation ensued between the community and the police after the police tried to take the man to a van parked in the vicinity. The man was ultimately taken by the police to the Malamulele police station after discussions between the Madonsi Royal council and the police. Rumour spread like wild fire that the man had died the following day at the local hospital.

Malamulele police spokesperson inspector Alson Mapindane confirmed the incident. "Initial suspicions were that he was involved in some witchcraft acts, but it was found after talking to his wife that he had mental problems and that is why we took him to hospital," said Mapindane He said no case was opened, since the man was not assaulted.

Maphindane discounted rumours that the man had since died, saying he was recuperating and responding well to treatment. He said according to an agreement, the two families have to inform police whenever they would like to meet and discuss the issue, but so far they have not met.

The brother of the owner of the house, Willy Hlungwani, discounts the family’s version that the man had mental problems. "His brother, Antony, said the man had gone to traditional healers. The head of the Mavambe community, Chief Patrick Manganyi, said he knew Mondlane, and had chased him away from his area, because the local community were not comfortable with him.”

Witchcraft is an age-old practice of superstitious beliefs amongst Africans and it has been practised all over the continent of Africa. In the early 90s, many people suspected of witchcraft were killed, while some had their homes torched and members of their families hacked to death.

Many people who were suspected of having taken part in the burnings and killings were sentenced to lengthy prison sentences.