North West traditional healer, Bongani Mafolela has been convicted and sentenced to an effective 15 years’ imprisonment for two separate sexual offences — five years for attempted rape committed in 2024, and ten years for rape committed in 2022, on Wednesday, 13 August 2025.
The Molopo Regional Court has indicated that the sentences will run consecutively.
The 24-year-old’s name will be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders, underscoring the NPA’s unwavering commitment to fighting gender-based violence (GBV).
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in the North West province, Sivenathi Gunya said on 06 February 2022, Mafolela met one of the victims in Imperial Reserve, Mafikeng.
“Claiming to be a traditional healer, he “prophesied” that she had an evil spirit that needed to be removed and persuaded her to visit his surgery the following day.
“During the consultation, Mafolela prepared a bath for the victim to “cleanse” herself. She became suspicious when he refused to leave the room, but complied because she believed she needed help. After the bath, he instructed her to lie on the bed so he could “remove the evil spirit” by inserting his hand into her private parts, covering her eyes with a cloth,” said Gunya.
“He then raped her, claiming he was placing “muthi” deep into her body. He warned her not to tell anyone, or she might be involved in an accident — a threat she believed because her grandfather was a prophet.”
In April 2022, after discovering she was pregnant, the victim reported the matter to the police, leading to Mafolela’s arrest.
He was later released on bail.
The court heard that while out on bail, on 04 September 2024, Mafolela met another victim in Montshioa, Mmabatho.
“After claiming she had a spiritual calling, he shared a drink with her, which made her feel dizzy and sleepy. While she was lying down, she realised her track pants had been pulled down and saw Mafolela undressing himself.
“He told her he wanted to put “muthi” into her vagina. She resisted and reported the matter to the police, leading to his re-arrest the following day,” said Gunya.
In court, Mafolela pleaded not guilty.
Advocate Kefentse Diseko argued that youthfulness should not automatically mitigate sentences in serious offences like rape and urged the court to consider the alarming prevalence of GBV in South Africa.
In delivering judgment, Regional Court Magistrate Mathews found that Mafolela abused cultural beliefs and his position as a traditional healer to exploit his victims.
The court further ordered a search and seizure operation at his premises to check for drugs or weapons.
Dr Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, commended Advocate Diseko and all role-players for securing the conviction.
“This judgment not only delivers justice to the victims but also sends a powerful message that gender-based violence will not be tolerated in South Africa. We hope it serves as a deterrent to would-be offenders,” she said.
