Pretoria - Occult related crimes are on the increase, with the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng currently investigating 48 cases, police said on Wednesday.
Lieutenant–Colonel Hennie de Jager, from the SAPS Provincial Detective Services, told a media briefing on Wednesday that police have, in the last three months alone, dealt with 78 enquiries and have interviewed 452 people.
“The Provincial Harmful and Religious Practise investigators are currently investigating 48 dockets and in seven dockets, there were 10 arrests and four have been successfully finalised in court, with sentences ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment,” said De Jager.
He said the unit was responsible for investigating cases dealing with harmful practices where there was no physical evidence.
This is in addition to investigating muti murders; spectral evidence, including spiritual intimidation and astral coercion; curses intended to cause harm; voodoo; vampirism; harmful cult behaviour; animal mutilation and sacrifice where evidence of occult involvement is believed to be indicated; human sacrifice, and the interpretation of alleged occult signatures.
National Commander of the unit, Colonel Attie Lamprecht, advised parents and guardians to be on the look-out for signs that their children are experimenting with satanic groups.
These include rebellion, low self-worth, drug abuse, animal mutilation, increased hatred, change in friends, body markings and unusual interest in books or movies with occult themes.
Commonly used markings, according to Lamprecht, include the goat head, inverted cross, skull, pentagram, MENA, black rose and swastika.
These body markings, he said, can be used for the preparation of sacrifice as well as initiation into a group.
“Drug abuse is the common denominator in all levels of satanisim… it is the primary source of mind-altering experiences for the satanists, thereby giving them a false sense of power and spiritual potency,” said Lamprecht.
Police have presented workshops in various schools and churches to raise awareness and to stop harmful practices in schools.
The spotlight on these harmful practices has been raised by the murder of two Soweto schoolgirls, Thandeka Moganetsi, 15, and Chwayita Rathazayo, 16, in a satanic ritual last week.
The girls’ bodies were found dumped in Dobsonville, and had cuts on their hands and necks.
Police also found black candles and razor blades at the scene. The two girls were laid to rest at the Roodepoort Cemetery on the West Rand on Tuesday.
Two teenage boys were arrested in connection with the murder. They have already made two court appearances and will make another appearance on Friday, in the Protea Magistrate's Court, for a formal bail hearing.
Child pornography
Meanwhile, police say they have made inroads in child pornography.
Seven people have been arrested following a year-long probe by Interpol and the police's cyber-crimes unit.
The last arrest was made on 15 February 2014 in Pretoria North. The 42-year-old suspect appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on child pornography charges.
Police say most of the syndicates are professionals, including teachers, priests, caretakers and computer experts.
The syndicate was uncovered by an organisation based in Canada at the beginning of the year. It is not yet known if South African children were used in the making of the pornography. – SAnews.gov.za
