A shocking discovery has been made in the Siphocosini area of Eswatini, where a family member, Mfanasibili Sibandze, reportedly buried five Vaseline containers with the names of his relatives. The containers were found to contain a name written on a piece of paper, along with an oily substance and what appeared to be dead animals. According to information gathered, Sibandze hired foreign traditional healers to facilitate the ritual, which was intended to prevent his family members from prospering.
The secret was revealed after Mduduzi, a friend of Sibandze, confided in Sipho Dlamini, whose name was among those found buried in the containers. Mduduzi had observed the consequences of the ritual over the past two years and decided to take action. The matter was reported to the police, who launched an investigation, resulting in the retrieval of the containers and the arrest of Sibandze in connection with the Witchcraft Act.
Sibandze appeared before the Mbabane National Court, initially pleading not guilty to the charges. However, he later changed his plea and admitted to his actions, claiming that he acted out of anger but did not specify the reason for his actions. The court sought to determine whether the witchcraft directed at the family members could be reversed, summoning the area's royal kraal and the affected family members.
The court also attempted to establish the whereabouts of the traditional healer, known as Makama, who had performed the rituals. It was discovered that Makama resides outside Eswatini and hardly visits the country. His girlfriend, LaSacolo, who also practices traditional healing, explained that Makama rarely visits Eswatini due to travel restrictions.
LaSacolo noted that reversing the curse would require considerable effort and proper communication with the ancestors, who permitted the ritual to occur. She questioned who would bear the costs involved, emphasizing that it could not be done automatically. The court decided to leave the matter in the hands of the royal kraal and the affected family, while emphasizing the importance of cleansing the affected family members.
The Mbabane National Court President, Two Minutes Shongwe, urged the family to resolve the issue amicably. Sibandze was sentenced to one year imprisonment, with an option to pay a fine of E2 000, in accordance with the Witchcraft Act. The case highlights the ongoing issue of witchcraft in Eswatini and the need for education and awareness about its consequences.
The nation continues to grapple with the challenges of witchcraft, with many cases reported in recent years. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing the root causes of such practices and promoting understanding and tolerance. The affected family members are expected to undergo cleansing rituals to reverse the curse and restore their well-being.
Key points
- A man in Eswatini was arrested for burying containers with the names of his family members in a bid to hinder their success.
- The traditional healer who performed the ritual resides outside Eswatini and hardly visits the country.
- The court emphasized the importance of cleansing the affected family members to reverse the curse.
