Daily Sun (August 28 2013) - A POOR mother is trying to raise money to bring her son back from the dead. An inyanga told her he can do it - for the sum of R110 000! BUT TRADITIONAL HEALERS SAY SHE IS BEING TAKEN FOR A RIDE!
Thembeni Mshengu's son Thobelani (27) went missing two years ago after going to a friend's party in Etafuleni ward 56, Inanda, KZN. After a week's search, Thobelani was found dead in a local mortuary and buried at Tafuleni Cemetery.
Now an inyanga from Howick who claims to have raised other people from the dead has reopened old wounds for 53-year-old Thembeni. He claims Thobelani is a zombie being held prisoner and for R110 000, he will bring him back to life.
Thembeni told Daily Sun: "I have only managed to raise R20 000 from my savings so far. "But the inyanga understands my situation. He promised to be reasonable and said he will wait until I have all the money. I can't wait to be reunited with my son," said the sad mother.
According to the inyanga, someone close to the family had used muthi to "photograph" Thobelani and turn him into a zombie. Thembeni told Daily Sun: "The inyanga showed me esibukweni (in a prophecy mirror) that my son was still alive. I swear I saw my son. "He is being kept captive by people I know very well. My son is in the process of being turned into a zombie." She said the inyanga later came to her house to show her that he had "fetched" Thobelani from where he was being imprisoned.
"He showed me my son but would not leave him because I did not have the money. "I saw my son with the naked eye. There was eye contact but I didn't speak to him," she said. The fundraising effort has caused a stir in the area. Residents claim ANC local councillor S'duduzo Gumede is urging people to contribute to Thembeni's fund.
Gumede told Daily Sun he was aware that money was being raised to pay the inyanga to bring back Thobeleni. He said: "This is a sensitive issue because it involves lots of money. "There have been several meetings where the fundraising issue was discussed. I am waiting for feedback."
A local resident, Phumlani Zulu (28), said he had no problem with donating, but it was painful to see Thobelani's mother struggling to find the money. "People were urged to donate R50. Some have paid that money to ward chairman Siya Nyaba. "I will pay the money because I believe it is for a good cause," he said.
Another resident who did not wish to be named said: "It's not that I don't sympathise with the Mshengu family, but I don't understand how our leaders can ask us to donate for something they are not sure will have positive results." Nyaba confirmed that locals were raising funds for the Mshengu family, but added: "We are not keen to discuss the matter with the media.
"We are already raising money for this family. I would urge you, Daily Sun, to help us financially," said Nyaba. Ethekwini municipality spokesman Thabo Mofokeng said: "I don't have the details but I would urge residents in the area to report any strange behaviour by their leaders to the speaker's office."
Thandunjani Hlongwane, the chairman of the Traditional Healers Association, told Daily Sun it was not possible to bring a person back to life. "We have received many complaints from people who are duped into believing their loved ones can be revived. That inyanga is taking this woman for a ride. Our association is working on clamping down on this fake practice," he said.
Meanwhwile, Thobelani's brother, Nana (19), said he is longing to be reunited with his sibling.
"I was shocked when I saw him in the car driven by that inyanga. I was hoping he was coming back home. If I had money, I would pay it myself," he said.
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