Traditional Healers Arrested for 2023 Murder, SA Furious As Mozambican Found With Deceased’s Organs

• Police arrested two Mozambican traditional healers in connection with a horrific murder committed in 2023
• One of the men was arrested after he was found allegedly with the organs of 20-year-old Gontse Makhubela
• South Africans were annoyed that the foreigners were once again involved in a brutal crime in the country

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

NORTH WEST – Two Mozambican traditional healers have been arrested in connection with the horrific 2023 murder of Gontse Makhubela.

The 20-year-old was reported missing by her family, and her mutilated and partly burnt body was later found at a refuse dump in November 2023 in Elandrand, near Brits. After almost two years of no leads, police made a breakthrough in August 2025 when they recovered Makhubela's cellphone.

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The recovery of the phone then led to the arrest of three men.

Who did the police arrest?

According to Police Spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, three men, including two traditional healers from Mozambique, were arrested. Mokgwabone stated that the 20-year-old was lured to her death by one of the men, who was given orders by one of the traditional healers to find him a victim. Two men, aged 29 and 38, were then arrested on 6 August 2025.

"The victim was tricked and lured to death by a 29-year-old suspect, who the second suspect tasked to find a young woman fitting a particular profile. She was to be murdered in order that the second suspect could have her organs for muthi," Mokgwabone stated.

Traditional healer arrested with the deceased’s organs

Following the arrest of two of the men, police continued to investigate and found a third suspect in Winterveldt in Gauteng. The man, also a traditional healer from Mozambique, was arrested on Thursday, 8 August 2025.

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In a chilling development, he was found with organs allegedly belonging to Makhubela. The men face charges of murder, kidnapping, violation and/or defiling a corpse, as well as the contravention of Section 49(1) of the Immigration Act.

South Africans are angry that foreigners are again involved

Social media users were less concerned that traditional healers were involved, but more annoyed that foreign nationals were again responsible for murder in South Africa.

Khetho Mabanga stated:

“Ramaphosa said they are not a threat. And he is still quiet while the citizens are complaining left and right.”

Unathi Meyisi noted:

“And then the police are still arresting Operation Dudula members.”

Mkhelemani Dlams said:

“The ANC is busy protecting them and leaving borders open so that they can freely enter and leave as they want. We're on our own, South Africans.”

Tk Taki Dzuguda asked:

“So, traditional healers still believe human body parts work for business? Ya, neh, Africa is cursed.”

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Mekoa Sereme stated:

“The scourge of ritual killings perpetrated by witches masquerading as traditional healers has spiralled out of control.”

Vusi Pumpe said:

“Criminals from all over the world are flocking to the Banana Republic, and the government says that they are all welcome.”

Ke Nna Keneiloe added:

“The silence the government gives when the foreigners commit these heinous crimes, must also be given when the community starts acting up against them criminals.”

Traditional healer found with human heads

Briefly News reported that four men were arrested in connection with the murder of a 34-year-old woman and her 2-year-old daughter.

One of the men, a 38-year-old traditional healer, was arrested after police discovered the decapitated bodies of the victims.

The traditional healer faces charges for the possession of human tissue after police recovered human heads at Muraga village.

Source: Briefly News