Fifteen youths jailed for ‘witchcraft’ murders

Fifteen youths will spend their lives in prison after they were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Mthatha regional court on Tuesday for a “witchcraft killing”.

Silulami Madikane, Jongile Gcelu, Phindile Mabija, Sinekhaya Qoyi, Lwandile Seku, Mandisi Kwaza, Lwazi Gcelu, Sihle Nogemane, Sakhumzi Hafe, Luyanda Mbatha, Khuliso Gcelu, Sizabantu Hafe, Abulele Kwaza, Sisa Madikane and Babini Gudu were sentenced to life behind bars for the 2015 murder of Dudu Gcelu, 65 and his wife, Nocingile, 60, whom they had accused of witchcraft.

They killed the couple in Msintsini village in Libode on December 2 2015.

Magistrate Sizakele Sihlahla, also sentenced the murderers, all aged between 20 and 24, to 18 years on a second count of murder. Silulami, Qoyi and Seku were also sentenced to a further two years on a count of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

In addition, the trio, along with Kwaza, were sentenced to another two years for arson. But all the sentences will run concurrently to the life term.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said that according to evidence presented in court, the murderers had gathered near a bus stop shelter where they resolved to kill Nocingile, whom they believed was responsible for the death of their friend and relative who was due to be buried the following day.

The young man had died in a freak accident by falling off a cliff a few days earlier.

A total of 18 youths were arrested and charged with the gruesome crime, but three were acquitted during the trial due to lack of evidence.