Witchcraft case |16 February 2024

Prosecution drops charges but files two new cases

• US party president Herminie discharged from initial case

The prosecution yesterday dropped the charges levelled against seven of the eight men accused of witchcraft, but filed two new cases implicating two of them.

Along with six others, United Seychelles (US) party president, Dr Patrick Herminie had all charges withdrawn against them and were discharged from the initial case.

The seven others are Simon Dine, Jules Radegonde, Bashir Umarji, Marcel Naiken, Yvon Legaie and Kenneth Evenor.

This follows an order by Senior Magistrate Andy Asba for severance of the charges, during the February 1 proceedings.

As such, the only remaining accused person in the matter is the Tanzanian national, Alli Said Ali who was arrested at the Seychelles International Airport on September 21, 2023, in possession of a number of items that are allegedly related to witchcraft. Among the items were wooden artefacts, stones, small bottles of liquid, and a number of documents with strange language and symbols.

Prosecutor Channa Durup informed Senior Magistrate Andy Asba that the first charge against the accused Mr Ali is being maintained. The charge is for the offence of being in possession of anything intended to be used for the purpose of witchcraft, contrary to the penal code.

Mr Ali was initially facing a total of 26 counts. He remains on remand until the next court appearance.

Two of the men – Mr Dine and Mr Umarji – were however not totally off the hook, as the prosecution also filed two new cases before the court.

Along with Mr Ali, Mr Dine stands charged with 17 different counts of conspiracy to exercise in witchcraft. Mr Dine is charged alone under 18 counts for counselling and procuring another person to exercise in witchcraft, and a single count for soliciting a person for advising on a matter of witchcraft.

As for Mr Umarji, together with Mr Ali they are charged with two charges for conspiracy to exercise in witchcraft. Additionally, Mr Umarji is charged alone on two counts of counselling and procuring another person to exercise in witchcraft, and one count of soliciting a person for advising on a matter of witchcraft.

They are all expected to plead before the court on February 29.

Dr Herminie is set to hold a press conference this morning, where he will address being discharged from the case.

Laura Pillay