Hundreds have had to seek the protection of the police and now live as outcasts in these "witch" camps. .
In a region of poverty and little education, villagers are quick to blame any adverse incidence, such as a fatal lightning strike on evil witchcraft. Those accused of using such witchcraft are banished from villages but often they are burnt or stoned to death. "If someone dies in suspicious circumstances, or something inexplicable happens, a witch is usually suspected," said Sergeant Stephen Ramabula, who has been assigned to the "witchcraft" unit. .
"Generally, if people believe there is a witch in their village, they will consult the Inkanga (witch doctor). He or she will then sniff out' the witch. The person who is accused will then be killed or ordered to leave the village." Traditionally, it is women who are accused of witchcraft, but in recent history almost a third of victims are men. Bringing "witch" killers to justice is no easy task. Inspector Matome Mamabolo said: "It is difficult to gather evidence on witchcraft murders because people are scared.
The families of the victims are the only people who can be really helpful and assist police. "If someone is accused of murdering a witch, the community tends to support them by supplying money for an advocate when the case comes to court. There is a solidarity there after all, that person is accused of ridding the village of a witch." Excerpts from "Inside the Village of the Social Outcasts" An article published by Independent Online.
1. Witches are female. Men are rarely accused of witchcraft, but are most often known as "wizards", "magicians" or "sorcerors" - someone who uses magic for malevolent purposes.
2. Such women meet in secret "assemblies" at night. When traveling to these assemblies, they take on the form of an animal and leave their physical bodies behind. .
3. Witches prey upon non-witches who are neither deserving of nor responsible for the misfortunes they suffer.
Intro One morning in late February 1998, Carly Hudson, Erika Allison and Daniel Booher were contacted by Special Agent John Ciccone of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) of the Los Angeles division Group II. With us was Special Agent William Queen. Ciccone knew that Quee...