A well-known traditional healer from Botlokwa in Limpopo has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of raping a 15-year-old girl in a case that has shocked the local community.
The Polokwane Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit secured the conviction against Mahlatse Alex Ramokgathathi, 30, who was known to the victim's family and had been trusted as a traditional healer.
It is reported that the accused, Mahlatse Alex Ramokgathathi (30), abused a position of trust after being invited into the victim's family home to provide traditional healing for her ailing father.
According to evidence presented in court, the incident occurred on October 3, 2023, when the healer visited the home at around 9pm. After treating the father, he suggested that he also attend to the children. The parents agreed, trusting him. He later took the victim and her older sister to a nearby river, where he separated them and remained alone with the 15-year-old girl.
The court heard that the offence was only reported after the victim later disclosed the incident to a family member.
