A neighbour of Phumza Sigaqa claims she has nothing to do with Joslin Smith’s disappearance.
Images via YouTube screenshot: SABC News
‘Not a sangoma’: Joslin Smith’s neighbour speaks [watch]
Joslin Smith latest: A neighbour of Phumza Sigaqa – whom the state has withdrawn charges against – claims she is not a sangoma.
A neighbour of Phumza Sigaqa claims she has nothing to do with Joslin Smith’s disappearance.
Images via YouTube screenshot: SABC News
A neighbour of Phumza Sigaqa – the fourth accused in the kidnapping and human trafficking case of Joslin Smith – has defended her from allegations that she is a sangoma.
On Wednesday, 13 March, Sigaqa, alongside Joslin’s mom, Kelly, her partner Jacquin Appollis or Boeta, and Steveno van Rhyn, appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrates Court.
During their brief appearance, the state dropped charges against Sigaqa “for now.” The three others will remain in custody until the next appearance on 13 May.
According to The Citizen, Joslin is alleged to have been sold for the purposes of muti after her disappearance from her Middelpos informal settlement shack on 19 February. She has yet to be found.
‘SHE IS NOT A SANGOMA’
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, a neighour of both Joslin Smith’s mother Kelly and Phumza Sigaqa, defended the latter amid social media commentary.
She said: “We want Joslin. We want the child, and we want Phumza – an innocent lady – out of jail. She is not a sangoma. The people who did this must [talk]. We want justice”.
JOSLIN SMITH UPDATE: CHARGES DROPPED FOR NOW
Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority claimed that the state has dropped charges against Phumza Sigaqa, but that could change as the investigation progresses.
The charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Western Cape division spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila told eNCA: “At this stage, the charges against her have been withdrawn. The investigation is continuing, and depending on what comes out, anything can happen. Charges may be reinstated at a later stage”.
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PUBLIC BACKLASH AGAINST SANGOMAS
Meanwhile, a South African sangoma has expressed her fears of a public backlash amid rumours Joslin Smith has reportedly been sold for the purpose of muti.
Lindiwe Mabuza – who is a traditional healer – shared her concerns in a video posted on TikTok.
In it, Mabuza stated that healers – who also fall under the umbrella of the name sangoma – should not be confused with a “witch.”
She said: “Not everyone that is a sangoma is a witch. Once you are a witch, you may have started your journey as a healer. But then somewhere out there, you got caught up in the dark world – a witch or umthakathi
“Once you go to the dark side, you cannot come back and heal. So, people who use body parts and do these evil things do not deserve to be called izangoma.
Mabuza added that the reference to sangomas in Joslin Smith’s disappearance could spell a “big racial war”.
She continued: “I feel the war that’s going to come is caused by this whole misunderstanding about who is a witch and who is a healer. I feel for what is going to happen to people like us. I do not want to be attacked just because I’m a sangoma and a traditional healer.
Appealing to the public, she added: “Please try and understand the difference between sangoma and witches, who use body parts.”
@swannie00 #jolsin #joslinsmith #bringjoslinhome #SAMA28 #tiktoksa #southafrica #fyp #foryou #helpfindjoslin #southafrica #suidafrika #southafricatiktok🇿🇦 #tiktoksouthafrica🇿🇦🇿🇦 #tiktoksouthafrica🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 ♬ original sound – Swannie
