‘Sangoma ritual’: AfriForum wants full report from NWU after questionable finding
AfriForum Youth demands access to the North-West University’s (NWU) full investigation report that was compiled following the disturbance incident that occurred this week (13 April 2025) at the Eikenhof women’s residence. The NWU now claims that there was no sangoma involved in this incident, but does not offer an alternative explanation for the events. According to AfriForum Youth, the NWU’s response did not contain any additional facts or information about their investigation.
According to the university, “no evidence was found that a sangoma visited Eikenhof”, and that “no cultural ritual took place”. AfriForum Youth believes that the NWU should be honest about the nature of its investigation and share the investigation report with its actual findings with the organisation.
The NWU’s findings contradict the testimony of several students who contacted AfriForum Youth. These students claim that a traditional ritual did take place and that it was accompanied by blood-curdling screams that echoed through the corridors of the residence for more than an hour and a half. Some students were so upset that they did not want to sleep in their own rooms.
“If the NWU maintains that there was no sangoma present, we want to know what led to a resident screaming for almost an hour and a half, whether it was reported to the residence mother and how it was dealt with further,” says Yvonne Gerber, Youth Officer at AfriForum Youth. “It is worrying that the NWU simply accepts these late-night screams while they had an emotional and psychological impact on many students in the residence.”
Gerber adds that the youth organisation will not rest until they have seen the full report. “It is worrying that the NWU is not paying attention to students’ complaints. If they were to speak to some of the residents who live on and below the corridor where the incident took place, they would understand the seriousness of this matter. To pretend that nothing happened is disrespectful to the residents who were affected by this and reported the incident. It is also not fair to dismiss this incident as a cultural or religious difference – the fact is that the screams upset many residents and caused a disturbance. Students need to be able to have peace of mind while they are away from their parents’ homes, after this response from the NWU I am unsure whether the students will have peace of mind in the residence. There are even students who want to leave the residence out of fear,” concludes Gerber.
AfriForum Youth previously requested that a formal investigation be launched into the events; that the university compile a clear position and policy on the practice of religious and cultural rituals in residences; and that dedicated spaces be set aside for the practice of similar rituals or ceremonies that protect and respect the rights of all students. In addition, the youth organisation also demanded that targeted training be provided to residence management in handling student complaints, and that trauma counseling be made available to residents of the residence who were emotionally affected by the incident.
Video’s of alleged sangoma related incidents at NWU residence:
