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| Gogo Jostina Sangweni |
The community of Soweto, CPF members, ANC members and the Traditional Healers Organisation came together and marched on 15 April to Mapetla from Emndeni Bus Terminal to where Sangoma (traditional healer) Gogo Jostina Kate Sangweni (58), suffered a horrific tragedy. She was brutally assaulted first at the house and dragged across the road and was set alight by the angry community members who accused she of evil deeds on 26 Mach.
Cops arrived at the scene and she was taken to hospital where she died eight days later at Bara hospital.
A special cleansing ritual was conducted at her home in Emndeni, Soweto.
A second ritual was carried out where she was set alight allegedly by community members who accused her of evil doing.
According to Mama Sangweni family she was diagnosed with a mental illness. 
Her family said she was diagnosed with Schizophrenia on 2 March and was taking medication for her illness but relapsed.
She was staying at her sister’s home in Mapetla but left home and got lost while trying to find her way back home. When she was found hiding near a car in fear, the allege suspects thought her aim was to do evil act.
According to Naledi CPF Chairperson Lucy Mofubetsoana she said: “The CPF were shocked hearing the news that one of their community members were brutally killed in an unfortunate gruesome manner. We say “NO” to femicide and gender base violence.”]
Mofubetsoana explained that it’s the duty of the CPF members to educate people of different illnesses and they need to teach their people to look out for one another. The community need to take charge and stand together.
“Our role in the community is for us to have a safe community. A person cannot choose to have dementia or schizophrenia, it is something that just happens,” ended Mofubetsoana.
Her distressed daughter Elizabeth Nkosi speaking to the media explained that her mum was hearing voices and guns where she believed she was going to be killed. “The people who found her alleged she was a witch and wanted to bewitch them wearing a traditional healer’s outfit,” said Nkosi.
Two accused of murdering Mama Sangweni, Taelo Dipholo (28), and Collen Sello (27), were arrested by Moroka Police Station officer on 10 April, and they appeared before the magistrate facing charges of murder on Monday, 12 April at Protea Magistrates Court and they reappeared before the magistrate on 20 April where attorneys were assigned to represent them for their court proceedings. They both remain in custody and will appear on the 4 May for a formal bail application at court 5.
“Sangweni was allegedly burnt by members of the community following accusations that she was allegedly performing evil acts. It is alleged that she was attacked for wearing a traditional healers' attire. The NPA is working closely with the police to guide the ongoing investigation into her death and the possibility of more arrests cannot be ruled out at this stage,” said Phindi Mjonondwane, NPA spokesperson.
Sangweni’s funeral was held on Saturday, 17 April where her body lied in state at the Naledi Community Hall from 9am to 11:30 and thereafter proceeded to the Slovoville Cemetery. Rituals were performed by the Traditional Healers Organisation at the Naledi Hall and cemetery before she was laid to rest.
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| Rituals being completed by sangomas where Gogo Jostina was allegedly set alight |
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| The home where Gogo Jostina was found hiding. |
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The two accused Taelo Dipholo (28), and Collen Sello (27) appear in court for the allege murder of Gogo Jostina Sangweni |
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Rituals being performed by Sangomas from the Traditional Healers Organisation at the Naledi Community Hall before her coffin was taken into the hearse to leave for her last rites at the cemetery. And her family on the right side. |
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