Conviction Indigenous spiritual authority or imitation Mamelodi, Gauteng, South Africa · 2026

South Africa: traditional healer sentenced to life for raping a 15-year-old

Record class

Core record

Evidence status

Convicted

Authority role

traditional healer (sangoma)

Organization

No organization assigned

Spiritual nexus

The complainant came to the defendant as a client of his healing practice, and it was that healer-patient authority that produced the private access the offence required.

Spiritual healing or treatment
Other spiritual authority or belief

Evidence structure

Proceedings

2026-02-27 · conviction and sentence

Pretoria Magistrate's Court, Gauteng, South Africa. Traditional healer Lesiba Victor Marosa was sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a 15-year-old girl in the context of his healing practice.

Documented coercion mechanisms

healing-practice authority over a minor client

Primary record

Sources

national newspaper court reporting verdict and sentencing report 'Mamelodi sangoma Lesiba Marosa sentenced to life imprisonment for raping 15-year-old girl', IOL, 27 Feb. 2026.: South African national outlet reporting the life sentence imposed on the traditional healer.

Related record

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