Abstract:
This article is the result of research findings undertaken in Limpopo Province on
the subject of witchcraft beliefs. It is a narration of two villages whose residents
were accused of witchcraft and had to be moved to other villages for their
safety. Socio-economic conditions responsible for the communities to accuse
their members of witchcraft are analysed. In the last part of the paper I draw
on some classical theoretical approaches such as projection, scapegoating
and materialism theories. In conclusion three statements are considered: 1)
witchcraft is something real in human experience; 2) witchcraft is an imaginary
crime; 3) an explanation of witchcraft accusations seen through the lens of
social theories on society.
