Traditional healer accused of brutal r@pe and murder of 6-year-old girl is set ablaze by angry residents in South Africa

The police in Mpumalanga, South Africa, have confirmed that one of the suspects accused of rape and murder of a 6- year-old girl, Bontle Mashiyane, was burnt to death by community members in Mataffin in Mbombela. 

The deceased identified as Mangebeletane Samuel Tsela, 63, a traditional healer (sangoma) was among suspects arrested for Bontle’s murder in Mpumalanga last year. 

Bontle went missing from her home in Mganduzweni near Hazyview on April 30, and her body was found mutilated in the area 21 days later. 

A neighbour, Ntombikayise Ngwenya; her boyfriend, Collen Hlongwane, Mangebeletane, his son, Philasande Tsela, 28, and one other, were charged with Bontle’s kidnapping, murder and rape. 

Mangebeletane and his son were granted R5000 bail on condition that they attend court until the matter is completed. 

It was gathered that the community members resorted to jungle justice because charges against Mangebeletane had been provisionally withdrawn by the Kabokweni Magistrates Court due to insufficient evidence.

Police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, in a statement on Sunday, November 19, 2023, said police received information about a man who was burnt and upon arrival he was certified dead by medical practitioners on scene. 

“Bontle Mashiyane‘s alleged murderer well known as Mangebeletane has been brutally murdered when community members allegedly set him alight at Mataffin in Mbombela yesterday, 18 November 2023 around 20:30,” the statement read.

“According to information, police received information about a man who was burnt by community members. Police as well as Emergency Medical Services responded to the information. 

“Upon arrival they found man burnt lying on the ground. He was certified dead by medical practitioners on the scene. 

“He was identified by his family as Mangebeletane Samuel Tsela, who was also known as a traditional healer during the inhuman murder of Mashiyane who was a neighbour at Masoyi. 

“Mangebeletane was known for brutally killing Bontle Mashiyane in Masoyi last year.

“A case of murder has been opened in Nelspruit Police Station following the burning of Mangebeletane.

“Police are appealing for information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects to please contact Crime Stop number 08600 10111, alternatively community members can send information via the My SAPS App. 

“All received information will be treated with a high level of confidentiality. The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has condemned the mob justice and reminded the community not to take law into their own hands.”