By Sonica Naudé-Steyn

A 75-year-old woman was brutally assaulted and drowned, allegedly by members of her own family, after being accused of witchcraft.
According to police spokesperson, Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, the woman, identified as Nokhansala Sidiki, was forcefully dragged from her home at Zadungeni, Luthuthu in Ngcobo on the morning of 17 May 2026 and taken to a nearby stream.
“There, she was accused of witchcraft, assaulted with a plank, and subsequently drowned. Her body was found naked next to the stream with bruises to the head and face, as well as strangulation marks on the neck. The suspects fled the scene and remain unknown,” said Gantana.
He said the case is under investigation by the SAPS Detective Unit while witness statements are being obtained, and forensic evidence has been collected from the scene.
Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata, Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape condemned this savage act: “This is a savage and deeply disturbing attack on a vulnerable elderly woman. Accusing someone of witchcraft and taking the law into your own hands is not only illegal but inhuman. We will leave no stone unturned until those responsible are arrested and face the full might of the law. I also call on community leaders to help us uproot this dangerous mob justice mentality. If you know something, speak out. Silence makes you complicit.”
According to Gantana, two suspects have been arrested, a 26-year-old female and a 28-year-old female are currently in police custody. Gantana says more arrests are imminent.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or report anonymously via the MySAPS app. All information will be treated confidentially.