'My healing spirits are tormenting me in prison'

Controversial self-proclaimed traditional healer and carpenter Azwidohwi Fidelis Gadisi from Khubvi village was denied bail by the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Monday afternoon.

Gadisi is accused of beating his wife, Nyelisani Phathutshedzo Masakona (32), to death on 27 July this year. After allegedly committing the crime, Gadisi turned himself in to the police.

When appearing in court to apply for bail for the first time on 5 September, Gadisi stated that he was self-employed as a carpenter and also as traditional healer. Through his Legal Aid lawyer, he said he employed some people and needed to take care of his four children, the youngest of whom is just four years old.

Gadisi’s lawyer informed the court that his client, working as a traditional healer, helped many people by using traditional herbs. Gadisi claimed that there are many people suffering because he was the only one who could help them. He also claimed that his healing spirit was tormenting him in prison, causing him to faint, which he believed was a sign that his ancestors were angry with him for not helping his customers through his traditional-healing powers.

The State opposed Gadisi’s bail application, making clear that he should not be released. Providing evidence on behalf of the State, Capt Rasilingwane Edward Mawela, the commander of the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit in Vhembe District, described Gadisi as a dangerous criminal who should not be granted bail. He argued that if Gadisi were released, he might threaten witnesses and interfere with the rule of law. Mawela noted that Gadisi had been arrested on three previous occasions and convicted three times for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH).

When asked by the State prosecutor if he had interviewed witnesses who had seen Gadisi beating his wife, Mawela said Gadisi’s four children had been present during the incident.

“His children said that after beating their mother, Gadisi had locked her inside the bedroom and disappeared. They said their mother called for help, but they were unable to assist because the bedroom was locked. When he returned, he slept on the same bed with her, who was likely already dead,” he said.

Mawela added that he had interviewed Gadisi’s children, who were currently living with their mother’s younger sister in the Damani section of Khubvi village.

“The children are afraid of him as he killed their mother in their presence. They fear he might kill them too. Neighbours who heard his wife crying during the assault are also afraid that if he is released, he might attack them as he is well-known as a violent person in the village,” he said.

Mawela also highlighted that Gadisi had had the audacity to threaten a local reporter while he was incarcerated.

Magistrate Carol Ramahuma found that the accused had failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances that would warrant bail. She denied the bail application, and the case was postponed to 30 October for a High Court trial date.

Date:20 September 2024

By: Victor Mukwevho

Victor Mukwevho Ne-vumbani joined the Mirror during it's inception in 1990. He joined the SABC newsroom in 1995, and was known by  listeners as "A u fhedzisela ari". He was a news editor for The Tembisan Newspaper from 2007 to 2015. He rejoined the Limpopo Mirror newspaper in June 2022 as a freelance journalist.

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