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Coastal residents warned against witchdoctors

Home National Coastal residents warned against witchdoctors

Walvis Bay

The police have warned coastal residents to be cautious of unscrupulous traditional healers and witchdoctors. The warning follows the case of Walvis Bay resident Petrus Haimbodi, who got more than he bargained for during a visit to a witchdoctor on Thursday to recover his lost firearm.

Instead of getting his firearm back, Haimbodi lost N$500 to the witchdoctor, who initially wanted N$3 000 for his services.

According to the Namibian Police Unit Commander for Community Affairs in the Erongo Region, Sergeant Iileni Shapumba, Haimbodi reported his stolen pistol to the police, but was still curious to find out who had stolen his weapon and decided to consult a traditional doctor.

He visited Briten Phiri, a witchdoctor who resides in Theo-Ben Gurirab Street, where he was told to return around 12h00 with maize, eggs and a small mirror. After picking up the goods he went back to Phiri, accompanied by his brother. The witchdoctor threw the maize on the floor while doing his consultations. Some of the eggs also broke.

“Instead of being told about his lost fire arm, the witchdoctor, who was apparently communicating through an interpreter, a Malawian herbalist named Blessing Mchulungo, who told Haimbodi that an elderly lady in his family, as well as an ex-girlfriend, have been casting bad spells on him. He was told to take the mirror and sleep with it. He was also to cover his body for at least 15 minutes. He was then told to return again on Friday,” Shapumba said.

Haimbodi realised that his problem was not addressed and demanded his money back. “The witchdoctor then took money from a calabash full of herbs and fruits and gave it back to Haimbodi, who refused to take it as the money was wet and smelly,” said Shapumba. He then reported the matter to the police, who took Phiri in for questioning. Phiri was however was not charged.

Shapumba said Namibians should be very cautious when visiting traditional healers, as some are there to rob unsuspecting people of their hard-earned cash.

“There is no law that restricts the operations of traditional healers, but they must refrain from making statements that can cause tension between families and couples, as this can have devastating consequences in the end. If we can prove that a statement uttered by them is linked to a crime, we will definitely charge them,” Shapumba said.