Muti murderers are not Witches
In South Africa witches are incorrectly believed to be responsible for human mutilations, often referred to by the media as ‘muti murders’.
African traditions ascribe supernatural properties to medicines (muti / muthi) derived from both plant and animal sources. In extreme circumstances, unethical traditional healers (nyangas and sangomas) resort to using so-called “muti” made from human body parts harvested from the victim whilst he or she is still alive, a practice widely eschewed by both ethical healers and actual Witches.
Despite accusations to the contrary, evidence will show that the muti murderers themselves are not Witches, but are most often paid by unscrupulous so-called “traditional healers” to harvest human body parts and tissue for sale, for use in alleged magic. Those found guilty in courts of law have not identified themselves as Witches, but as traditional healers.
Despite this, even ethical traditional healers have and do incorrectly identify those responsible for such criminal acts as witches or witchdoctors, in order to disassociate themselves and traditional healing from such acts.
Scapegoating witchcraft and witches for the crimes committed by criminals, not Witches who practice Witchcraft, contributes to general prejudice and fear of witchcraft and witches. Traditional healers are often responsible for inciting violent witch-hunts by identifying other traditional healers as responsible for muti murders and other misfortune.
Baseless accusations of muti murders repeatedly published in the media against witches and witchcraft in general have and will continue to incite witchcraft accusations and further defame real Witches.
Muti murderers are not Witches!
Next: South African Police Services approach to witch-hunts problematic