Pretoria based traditional healer, Mkhulu Mahlasela has warned that if the spirits of the slain SANDF soldiers are not returned to South Africa there will be consequences.
Image: Solly Mathebula/Simon Majadibodu
A Pretoria-based sangoma has warned that if the spirits of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by the M23 rebel group are not returned to South Africa, it could result in family members being killed by gunfire.
“It’s crucial to bring their spirits back to their homeland, because if not, when their bodies are repatriated, only their physical remains will return, while their spirits will remain in the DRC,” said Solly Mathebula, also known as Mkhulu Mahlasela.
Fourteen SANDF troops were killed last month in Goma, in the DRC during clashes with the notorious M23 rebel group.
While the soldiers’ bodies were expected to be repatriated last week on Wednesday, logistical challenges delayed the process, and a new date of Saturday was also postponed for the same problems.
Staff Sergeant Shwahlane Theophilus Seepe, Corporal Rinae Nemavhulani, Rifleman Mokete Joseph Mobe, Rifleman Derrick Maluleke, Rifleman Sebatane Richard Chokoe, Corporal Matome Justice Malesa, Lance Bombardier Itumeleng Macdonald Moreo, Lance Corporal Tseke Moffat Molapo, Lance Corporal Metse Stansly Raswiswi, Private Peter Jacobus Strydom, Staff Sergeant Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi, Staff Sergeant William Eddie Cola, Rifleman Tshidiso Andries Mabele and Rifleman Calvin Louis Moagi
Image: SANDF/Se-Anne Rall
In a heated urgent debate in Parliament on Monday, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga, assured that the remains of the soldiers would be returned home by Thursday.
Motshekga added that the fallen troops would be laid to rest with full military honours.
Meanwhile, the grieving families of the slain soldiers have continued to endure a long wait for the return of their loved ones' bodies.
With the clashes in the DRC still raging, Mkhulu Mahlasela from Mamelodi township said when he threw the bones, they warned that if the soldiers' spirits are not brought back to the country, their families will suffer a similar fate, dying by gunfire.
“Go lata moya” (Sepedi) or “Ukulanda umoya (Zulu)” refers to an African custom of fetching the deceased’s spirit, especially when someone dies violently, such as in a shooting or car accident.
If not retrieved, the spirit may cause disruption to the family, potentially leading to similar violent deaths.
Mkhulu Mathebula, who has been throwing and reading the bones for 30 years, emphasised that the spirits of the troops must be brought back to rest peacefully.
He explained that if the soldiers’ spirits are not brought back in a traditional manner, when their bodies return home, their spirits remain in the DRC.
“A ritual needs to be performed at the site where the soldiers were killed to bring their spirits back,” Mkhulu Mathebula said.
He described a traditional process in which a family member collects a small tree branch (Lešaša) from the bush which are then used to return their spirits. The branch is then placed inside the coffin to bring the spirit home.
The failure to fetch the spirits of the slain SANDF troops back to the home soil can lead to the families suffering from a similar fate, dying by gunfire, according to traditional healer Solly Mathebula.
Image: Supplied/Solly Mathebula
Failure to perform this ritual, Mkhulu Mathebula warned, could lead to gun-related deaths among the affected family members.
He said the same principle applies to people killed in car accidents - if their spirits are not fetched, more family members could die in similar circumstances.
“It can also lead to more fatalities on that particular road,” he added, as he burped heavily.
Mkhulu Mathebula also mentioned an alternative practice for fetching the spirits, which involves visiting the termite-mound also known as “Seolo” in Sepedi or “Isiduli” in Zulu, where ancestors are believed to dwell.
“The spirit must be told that it is being helped, and that the family would go to the DRC to fetch it.”
He said fetching the spirit at the termite-mound differs according to families' cultural beliefs and traditions, with some using snuff (a smokeless tobacco product used to speak and connect with the ancestors) with traditional sorghum beer, maize meal, water, or ashes.
Mkhulu Mahlasela stressed, however, that the most effective way is to fetch the spirits from the location where the person was killed.
The sangoma’s bone readings further warned that the families should not slaughter animals for food at the funeral, as the bloodshed may exacerbate the bad luck.
Normally, a cow and chickens are slaughtered for feasts in African funerals, but Mkhulu Mahlasela said this practice could be dangerous for the families of the soldiers who died violently.
“If they want to eat a cow or chickens at the funeral, they must ensure it is not slaughtered at home, as it could lead to more deaths due to the bloodshed,” he said.
Mkhulu Mahlasela said the bones support political parties' calls to withdraw the troops from the DRC, adding that the continued violence will lead to more deaths.
“There’s still a lot of killings to come in the DRC,” he added.
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