A 31-year-old sangoma, William Thibedi, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for premeditated murder by the Atamelang Regional Court in South Africa's North West province. Thibedi lured a client into a secluded bush under the pretence of performing a cleansing ritual before murdering and beheading him in January 2019. The crime remained concealed for nearly four years until a family dispute exposed it in December 2022.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Thibedi arranged the ritual after the victim approached him seeking spiritual assistance. During the ritual, Thibedi poured water mixed with traditional medicine over the victim before instructing his brother and a friend to leave, claiming the next stage was confidential. He then killed the victim and cut off his head with a knife, allegedly on the instructions of his ancestors.
Thibedi enlisted the assistance of his younger brother and a friend for the ritual, but they were horrified to discover the murder and were threatened with serious consequences if they revealed what they had witnessed. The victim's body was buried, and his severed head and hands were placed in a bucket and removed from the scene. The victim's family reported him missing, unaware of the circumstances of his death.
The murder remained a secret until December 2022, when an argument between Thibedi and his younger brother led to a breakthrough. During the dispute, his brother threatened to expose the murder, and a cousin alerted other relatives, who reported the allegations to the police. Thibedi was arrested in December 2022, and he subsequently made a confession, pointing out the locations where he had buried the victim's remains.
During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence from several witnesses, including Thibedi's younger brother, his friend, relatives, and the investigating officer. The evidence was direct, corroborated, and contained no material contradictions, proving beyond reasonable doubt that Thibedi had committed premeditated murder. The court accepted the prosecution's submissions and found Thibedi guilty.
In sentencing proceedings, the State presented aggravating factors, including victim impact statements that detailed the devastating emotional and psychological impact of the murder on the victim's family. The court agreed that a sentence of life imprisonment was warranted, given the gravity of the offence and its premeditated nature. Thibedi was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West Division, Dr Rachel Makhari, welcomed the sentence, saying it demonstrated the justice system's determination to punish perpetrators who prey on vulnerable people. The NPA remains committed to ensuring justice for victims and their families and holding perpetrators of violent crimes accountable for their actions.
Key points
- The sangoma was sentenced to life imprisonment for premeditated murder.
- The crime remained concealed for nearly four years until a family dispute exposed it.
- The sentence sends a strong message that the criminal justice system will deal decisively with those who exploit vulnerable individuals for criminal purposes.
