The case against a 47-year-old traditional healer was postponed to Monday, 3 March for a formal bail application as he is arrested for kidnapping and raping a 17-year-old girl.
Chikuse Maseko-Matlala appeared in the Hendrina Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 26 February.
He was arrested on Monday, 24 February, after being on the run for seven months.
He’s accused of trafficking a 17-year-old from Mozambique in 2023 and kept her captive for eight months. A passerby came to the teenage girl’s rescue in July 2024.
According to Mpumalanga Hawks spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, the suspect brought the victim to Mzansi under false job pretences.
It’s alleged the victim was abducted in Xai Xai and promised work at a salon.
On arrival at Hendrina, the suspect allegedly told the victim there were no jobs and wanted to make her his wife.
“The victim was allegedly assaulted and raped. She was also given substances believed to be the traditional healer’s medicine.”
“The victim was rescued eight months later by a passerby who alerted police of her ordeal. The victim was allegedly kept in captivity from November 2023 until she escaped in July 2024,” said Nkosi.
Further investigation revealed that the suspect had escaped to Mozambique.
However, he was arrested upon his return to South Africa on Monday, 24 February.
Nkosi said the Hawks have also involved Home Affairs due to inconsistencies in the suspect’s status as his traditional healer certificate and passport names don’t match.
