Sangoma convicted, sentenced for raping teen
A sangoma has been convicted of rape and sentenced to ten years in jail.
He appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday for raping a minor last year, Free State police said.
Lehlohonolo Mokhalo, 32, raped a 16-year-old girl during a traditional ceremony that was held at a dam in Virginia on April 18 last year, said police spokesperson Ikobeng Hlubi.
Mokhalo had convinced the parents to leave the girl with him, saying there was something wrong with her.
"It is alleged that the suspect told the victim that she a tolokoshi (evil spirit) and the only way he could get rid of it was to sexually intercourse with her, when she refused the suspect grabbed her and raped her," said Hlubi.
"The victim reported the incident to her mother and Makhalo was later on arrested."
ANA
File photo: Gallo Images