Isaac Motaung, a traditional healer from Alexandra appeared in court on Thursday for the alleged rape of children.
The case in the Alexandra magistrate’s court, northern Johannesburg has been postponed to November 30 for trial.
Motaung faces two counts of rape, compelled rape, two counts of attempted murder, and two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The traditional healer allegedly raped a 12-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl between 2020 to 2021. He later allegedly forced the children to have sex with each other.
Motaung was HIV-positive when he committed the rapes, hence the charges of attempted murder, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
The traditional healer’s victims found out later about their tormentor’s HIV status.
Motaung was arrested in June 2022 after one of the victims approached the Alexandra police station to open a criminal case.
“He has been in custody since he was apprehended,” said NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwana.
Indigenous expert Gogo Brenda Selibi from Masiphephe Network in Alexandra said the alleged rapes were barbaric and uncharacteristic of someone who practises as a traditional healer.
“We must strip him off that title, because he is not a healer. Healers save lives and bring dignity to human life,” said Selibi.
“It is painful that women get raped every day, but it is even worse when it is done to children. We are supposed to be protecting children, not harm them.
“We call for a harsh sentence on this case. I hope the justice system does not fail us on this because he has killed these children. They will never trust anyone again.”
She added that what Motaung did is ruining the image of traditional healers.
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