SEYCHELLES SORCERY
As part of an investigation into “witchcraft” and “unnatural and superstitious” practices after the discovery of two bodies illegally exhumed from a cemetery on the island of Mahé in the Seychelles, the country’s main opposition party leader Patrick Herminie has been arrested. He was charged with witchcraft along with seven alleged accomplices following a raid on his party’s offices by more than 40 police officers. The charges include possession of items intended for use in witchcraft, conspiracy to perform witchcraft and procuring services related to witchcraft. The raid took place after Herminie was named in a WhatsApp message sent to a Tanzanian who it was suggested was implicated in theCatholic churches, that had been vandalised and desecrated. Herminie, who says he does not believe in witchcraft, said: “In Seychelles’ history, there has never been until now, a political party leader arrested for superstition and witchcraft. This is something new and it is shameful for Seychelles.” He describes his arrest as “a political show” by the Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan intended to “eliminate those who he knows will remove him from power in the 2025 elections”.
