A spiritual healer (sangoma) from Makhanda in South Africa’s Eastern Cape has been sentenced for culpable homicide after the death of a 10-year-old boy following a series of harmful traditional rituals.
Ntombentsha Limbo received a nine-year prison sentence, suspended for five years, for the death of Agcobile Busakwe on 4 October 2023.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the boy’s father approached Limbo for help with his son’s health and academic struggles. Limbo then recommended several unorthodox methods she claimed would cleanse the child’s body.
The treatments began with the forced intake of five litres of salted water, intended to induce vomiting. Although the boy was reportedly in good spirits beforehand, he struggled to vomit and only expelled a small amount. His condition worsened as he began experiencing headaches and fatigue.
Limbo claimed to have received a vision that suggested further internal issues and proceeded to administer an enema. Despite the child’s growing discomfort and his pleas to stop, the sangoma reassured the father that evil spirits were to blame and urged him to continue.
Multiple enemas followed, including one containing Sunlight laundry soap. Water was also poured into the boy’s eyes, ears, nose and mouth in an attempt to “cleanse” him further.
The situation became critical when the child began foaming at the mouth. His father rushed him to a local clinic, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Medical testimony during the trial confirmed that excessive water consumption contributed significantly to the child’s death, and that timely medical intervention might have saved his life. Even a healthy adult would have struggled to survive such treatment, the court heard.
During cross-examination, Limbo failed to provide a convincing explanation for continuing the treatments, despite clear signs of the child’s deteriorating condition.
The NPA expressed hope that the sentencing would serve as a warning against the use of unproven and dangerous traditional practices.