By Staff Reporter
HEIDELBERG – A traditional healer has died after allegedly entering an underground tunnel while performing a ritual near Life Ministries Church on Saturday, 13 December 2025.
According to reports, emergency services were activated at approximately 09:28 after it was reported that the sangoma had entered the underground tunnel and failed to resurface.
Preliminary information suggests that the healer was conducting a traditional ritual, which may be associated with initiation, cleansing, ancestral communication, or spiritual instruction in line with cultural beliefs.
Volunteers identified as M03, FR01, FR02, FR04, FR05, FR07, FR08, and FR09 responded to the scene, where a joint search and rescue operation was immediately launched.
The operation was supported by the South African Police Service (SAPS), the SAPS Diving Unit, SAPS Ekurhuleni K9 Search and Rescue, and Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) emergency services.
Despite extensive efforts by all role players, the operation was later downgraded from rescue to recovery. The body of the sangoma was subsequently recovered by SAPS, SAPS Water Police, and SAPS Ekurhuleni K9 Search and Rescue. The deceased was declared dead at the scene by GPG emergency personnel.
Following the recovery, traditional rites were conducted in accordance with cultural practices to honour the deceased and bring closure to the incident.
Police have opened an inquest docket to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident. Investigations are ongoing.
