During our 2008 research on Trafficking Body Parts in Mozambique and South Africa, one of our informers said witchdoctors “can incite people to commit murders as a means of making them rich”. Other informers and Labuschagne (2004) believe the witchdoctor will not himself engage in ritual murders or killings, but will send a third party to do it. One of the interviewees stated “I do not think the healer himself will go out to kill. Instead some will send people (...) and promise them a lot of money on completion of the work.”
Further, it became clear during the research that many would cover up for the witchdoctors out of fear. One of the informers stated “someone knows them (the witchdoctors, ed.), but is not saying anything”. Another stated “It is all silenced. People are afraid to talk”. During an interview, an informant said: the “Sangoma (Traditional Healer, ed.) that lives in our neighbourhood was arrested because the Police found the body parts in his house”. After that the interviewer was informed that the Sangoma was later released from jail and is still practicing in the community.
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