A man, name withheld, has been arrested by the South African Police for allegedly raping a female traditional healer, otherwise known as native doctor.
The suspect had taken carnal knowledge of the traditionalist, after he invited her to his house for spiritual cleansing.
The victim, a 26-year-old lady, whose name is not being revealed for safety reasons, revealed the incident in a recent interview with South African media outlet SABC News.
According to her, the incident, which left her deeply traumatized and fearful, occurred at her client’s home where she had gone to perform a spiritual cleansing ritual.
The traditionalist, who had started her practice a year ago, said the experience had shaken her faith in her calling and her ability to trust male clients again.
She said, “Out of nowhere, the guy pushed me. I fell on the bed, and he grabbed me by my arms. I was trying to process everything that was happening because I was in shock. I came here to help someone spiritually, and this is what happened to me.
“I am still very scared to practise or to help, but I know that it is not something I can stop. It is not something I can resign from and say I am packing up my stuff, I am leaving because I have been called for a purpose at the end of the day.”
Also speaking on the incident, some Kimberly-based traditional healers described the development as a wake-up call for female healers in the country on the need to be extra careful.
They urged the government to ensure that the accused rapist received the appropriate punishment to serve as a deterrent for others.
The accused is currently in police custody and is expected to appear in court soon.
