Traditional Healer William Thibedi Gets Life Sentence for Murder of Pule Moilwa in North West

• The Atamelang Regional Court sentenced 30-year-old William Methe Thibedi to life imprisonment after convicting him of murder
• Thibedi lured his victim to a bush under the guise of conducting a traditional cleansing ceremony in Madibogo Village in December 2022
• Witnesses who accompanied Thibedi made a grim discovery after the consultation took unusually long

NORTH WEST — The Atamelang Regional Court handed down a sentence of life imprisonment to a traditional healer on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, after convicting him of murder for killing a patient during what was meant to be a cleansing ritual.

According to the South African Police Service's X tweet, William Methe "Daddy" Thibedi, 30, was found guilty of murdering Pule Moilwa at Madibogo Village, Dikgatlong Section, on 14 December 2022. The South African Police Service announced the sentence on 7 October 2026.

How the murder unfolded

Thibedi persuaded Moilwa to undergo a cleansing ceremony, which was to take place in a bush area. He was accompanied to the location by his brother and a friend of his brother, neither of whom was part of the ceremony itself. The two were left at a distance while Thibedi and Moilwa moved to a secluded spot for the consultation.

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When the consultation appeared to drag on, the two companions went to investigate. They found that Thibedi had killed Moilwa, mutilated, and buried the body in a shallow grave. The removed body parts were placed in a bucket. Thibedi subsequently buried those parts in his consultation room, directly in front of what is referred to as an "Indomba." The body has not been recovered to date.

Investigation and arrest

Police became involved on 15 December 2022, following a missing person inquiry lodged at Madibogo SAPS. A conversation between the brothers later surfaced, revealing details that pointed investigators toward what had taken place.

Thibedi was arrested shortly thereafter. On 28 December 2022, his bail application was opposed in court by the investigating officer, Sergeant Mogalolodi Mentor Moribe of Madibogo SAPS. Sgt Moribe led the investigation throughout, gathering the evidence that was ultimately placed before the court and securing the life sentence. Another sangoma who was linked to a murder was arrested four years ago in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, for the murder of an African National Congress Youth League member and two police officers.

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View SAPS's tweet here:

Northern Cape father gets life for murdering daughter

In a related article, Briefly News reported on a Northern Cape father who received a life sentence after DNA evidence linked him to his daughter’s baby. The 41-year-old was convicted of rape and sexual assault against his 14-year-old daughter.

The crime came to light when the girl gave birth at home months after the assault. Her father had threatened to kill relatives if she told anyone.

Source: Briefly News