Some Perspectives on the Impacts of Ritual Murders in the Vhembe District of South. Africa: An Interpretative Phenomenological Approach

Abstract

Many communities inside and outside South Africa, such as the Vhembe District Municipality in the Limpopo Province are affected by ritual murders. The purpose of the study was to investigate ritual murders in the Vhembe District Municipality with the focus of developing a contextual and relevant training manual to address these murders. The methodology used for the study was interpretative phenomenological and data was collected through individual interviews and focus group discussions. The findings concluded that pastors, businessmen, traditional healers and leaders are involved in ritual murders. The practice was motivated by cultural beliefs, excessive love for money, power and greed. The acts of ritual murder regardless of the motive, whether for self enrichment or to appease the ancestors for protection of the community at large were condemned by the majority of the participants.