THERESSA Cele (57) said a sangoma must be arrested after cops searched her isigodlo in vain for her missing husband.
The desperate wife from Umlazi’s AA section said Zitomote Cele (58) was last seen drinking umqombothi at the sangoma’s house last month.
On Friday his family and neighbours went to the sangoma’s home, demanding to be let into her isigodlo to search for Zitomote. But sangoma Thokozile Ntsele (63) refused.
She said strangers weren’t allowed in her isigodlo before a ritual process to tell ancestors about what was being done.
She said that if she let them in before telling the ancestors, they would be angry. Cops were called and asked the sangoma to open the isigodlo, but Zitomote wasn’t found.
Sangoma Thokozile said: “The isigodlo is a sacred place where I talk to my ancestors, so I couldn’t let people just come in as they had to be cleansed first.
“Some of them had sex last night. Now that they have entered I must apologise to my ancestors and cleanse it,” said the sangoma.
Thokozile said she was disturbed by the family’s accusation because she didn’t invite Zitomote to her traditional ceremony.
“He came to my place after seeing other men drinking umqombothi in the yard.
“Zitomote stayed behind after the other men had left to finish the umqombothi. He left my place at about 8pm. I don’t what happened to him after he left.”
Theressa said her family wants the police to charge sangoma Thokozile for her husband’s disappearance.
Lieutenant Nqobile Gwala said anyone with information about Zitomote’s whereabouts should contact Bhekithemba Police Station in Umlazi.
