Initiate shoots sangoma, self
2005-01-31 22:57
Bushbuckridge - A trainee sangoma shot and killed his mentor on Sunday night when he was unable to invoke his ancestors after a month of training.
The trainee then shot himself.
Christopher Mhlongo, 37, of Kumani village near Bushbuckridge had been training under Nyiko Ngwenya, 38, at her home in Hluvukani near Manyeleti game reserve.
"He left her about a week ago to find another sangoma to help him invoke his spirits so that he could qualify as a fully fledged sangoma," said superintendent Moatshe Ngoepe of Mopani police on Monday.
On Sunday night, he returned to Ngwenya's consulting room where she was busy with other trainees.
He told Ngwenya the other sangoma had advised that they go to Mhlongo's house and perform a certain ritual.
The other trainees left the room while the two prepared for the ritual, only to hear the sound of gunshots soon afterwards.
Ngwenya was shot three times in the head and chest. Mhlongo was shot once behind his ear.
Meanwhile, Tubatse police are looking for three suspects who shot and killed another sangoma on Saturday.
Piet Tau, 60, of Kgamadiseng village near Burgersfort was walking along a street when he was gunned down, said inspector Mahlathini Ngele of Tubatse police on Monday.