Eastern Cape mob justice killing of 75‑year‑old woman under investigation what Joburg readers should know

What happened

Police say the woman, identified as Nokhansala Sidiki, was taken from her house by certain family members to a nearby stream in Zadungeni A/A, Luthuthu Locality in Ngcobo.

“There, she was accused of witchcraft, assaulted with a plank, and subsequently drowned. Her body was found naked next to the stream with bruises to the head and face, as well as strangulation marks on the neck,”

said police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana.

Investigation under way

Provincial police confirmed the incident was reported to SAPS and that the case docket is being investigated by the SAPS Detective Unit. No arrests have been made and the suspects are described as having fled the scene and remain unknown.

Police said they are obtaining witness statements and have collected forensic evidence from the scene.

Provincial reaction

Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata, Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape, condemned the killing and called on community leaders to help tackle the problem.

“This is a savage and deeply disturbing attack on a vulnerable elderly woman. Accusing someone of witchcraft and taking the law into your own hands is not only illegal but inhuman. We will leave no stone unturned until those responsible are arrested and face the full might of the law. I also call on community leaders to help us uproot this dangerous mob justice mentality. If you know something, speak out; silence makes you complicit,”

Context and the law

The Citizen report also notes a recent court case in which a man was sentenced for murdering his mother and convicted for imputing witchcraft under the Witchcraft Suppression Act 3 of 1957. That case resulted in a cumulative sentence of 28 years imprisonment.

Mob justice remains dangerous and unlawful: taking suspected criminals into your own hands endangers lives, destroys evidence and undermines the rule of law.

How to help

Police have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or report anonymously via the MySAPS app. All information will be treated confidentially.

For Joburg readers: while this attack took place in the Eastern Cape, the warning is relevant across provinces witness statements and forensic leads are central to investigations and community cooperation is critical to preventing mob justice.