A 31-year-old sangoma who lured a client into a secluded bush under the pretence of performing a cleansing ritual before murdering and beheading him has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
William Thibedi was convicted of premeditated murder by the Atamelang Regional Court in the North West after evidence revealed how he exploited his client’s trust, killed him and threatened witnesses into silence.
The murder, committed in January 2019, remained concealed for nearly four years until a family dispute exposed the crime in December 2022.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Thibedi arranged the ritual after the victim approached him seeking spiritual assistance.
Cleansing ritual turns into brutal murder
NPA spokesperson Lindiwe Mabasa said Thibedi enlisted the assistance of his younger brother and a friend before taking the victim to a secluded bush area at night.
The ritual began with Thibedi pouring water mixed with traditional medicine over the victim.
He then instructed his brother and friend to leave, claiming that the next stage of the ritual was confidential and could only be performed in private.
“A short while later, the two men returned and were horrified to discover Thibedi cutting off the deceased’s head with a knife,” Mabasa said.
“When questioned, Thibedi claimed that his ancestors had instructed him to commit the act.”
He subsequently dug a grave and buried the victim’s body before placing his severed head and hands in a bucket, which he removed from the scene.
Thibedi also threatened his younger brother and friend with serious consequences if they revealed what they had witnessed.
The victim’s family later reported him missing, unaware that he had been murdered during the supposed cleansing ritual.
Family dispute exposes murder nearly four years later
The killing 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.
A cousin overheard the confrontation and alerted other relatives. The information eventually reached the victim’s family, who reported the allegations to police.
A murder investigation was opened at Madibogo Police Station, leading to Thibedi’s arrest that same month.
“Following his arrest, Thibedi made a confession and pointed out the locations where he had buried the deceased’s remains,” Mabasa said.
Police subsequently recovered the victim’s head and the bucket in which it had been concealed.
Witness testimony seals sangoma’s fate
During the trial, State Advocate Edward Manicus presented evidence from several witnesses, including Thibedi’s younger brother, his friend, relatives and investigating officer Sergeant Magakolodi Moribe.
The prosecution argued that the evidence was direct, corroborated and contained no material contradictions.
The State maintained that Thibedi had deliberately planned the murder and used the cleansing ritual to isolate the victim before killing him.
The court accepted the prosecution’s submissions and found that the evidence proved beyond reasonable doubt that Thibedi had committed premeditated murder.
Court hears of family’s suffering
During sentencing proceedings, State Prosecutor Itumeleng Lobese presented aggravating factors, including victim impact statements compiled by Court Preparation Officer Thembinkosi Madiba.
The statements detailed the devastating emotional and psychological impact the murder had on the victim’s family.
“The State argued that a sentence of life imprisonment was warranted given the gravity of the offence, its premeditated nature, and the fact that Thibedi had exploited the deceased’s trust by disguising his intentions as a cleansing ritual,” Mabasa said.
The court agreed and imposed a life sentence.
Thibedi was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
NPA welcomes life sentence
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.
“This sentence sends a strong message that the criminal justice system will deal decisively with those who exploit vulnerable and unsuspecting individuals for criminal purposes.
“The NPA remains committed to ensuring justice for victims and their families and to holding perpetrators of violent crimes fully accountable for their actions,” Makhari said.
