Church brands sick pensioner a 'witch'

A 73-year-old pensioner travelled nearly 200 km for spiritual healing for a painful leg, only to be humiliated and accused of witchcraft during a televised service by self-styled apostle Shaundre Solomon Shoombe.

Tuyenikelao Kamhulu, from Okongo, says the incident at Okaandje village in Oshana’s Ongwediva constituency was recorded on video that has since gone viral on social media.

Instead of prayers, Kamhulu was branded a witch in front of congregants, while she repeatedly protested her innocence.

In a telephone interview, Kamhulu told Namibian Sun she turned to the church out of desperation, as the pain in her leg had become unbearable and had driven her to contemplate taking her own life.

“My mother’s sister then said I should go to the church for prayers," she recounted.

"On that Saturday, we wrote down our names. The pastor started saying I am a witch, and my mother is a witch and I have things in my calabashes back at home which I use to witch people with,” she said.

She alleged that Shoombe further claimed their home was full of snakes and that unknown individuals visited at night.

“On Sunday we went back to the church and he questioned why we returned. In the video, the pastor is heard saying he also doesn’t want witches. He refused to touch me,” she added.

In the video footage, Shoombe, who is much younger than Kamhulu, is heard telling the pensioner that he had given her an opportunity to confess her sins so he could pray for her, but that she allegedly refused and “kept her mouth closed like an angry snake”.

“Now you are back saying I should release you. Release you so you can go witch more people?” he is heard saying.

Kamhulu maintained her innocence, saying the allegations have damaged her family’s name.

“I am a sick woman, not a monster."

Calls for stricter rules

Kamhulu's family is outraged and plans to report the matter to the Namibian Police, saying her dignity was publicly violated.

Under Namibia’s Witchcraft Suppression Proclamation 27 of 1933, it is a criminal offence to accuse someone of being a witch, with penalties including a fine or up to five years’ imprisonment.

Kamhulu's ordeal has intensified calls for tighter oversight of churches, particularly those led by self-proclaimed spiritual leaders.

Namibian Sun visited Shoombe’s church on Tuesday morning. The premises feature a prominent structure with stones inscribed “He has Risen” at the altar. Shoombe was not present, but congregants had gathered for prayers.

An evangelist identifying himself only as Gideon said Shoombe was resting and would only wake later, claiming he spends nights “fighting evil spirits and those under attack”.

During the visit, prayer lines rang continuously.

In one instance, a distressed caller identifying herself as a University of Namibia student sought intervention over academic difficulties, underscoring the growing reliance on religious figures for personal and professional challenges.

Gideon undertook to arrange a response from Shoombe, but none had been received by the time of publication.

Leaders condemn conduct

The episode has been criticised by religious and traditional leaders, who warned against the abuse of spiritual authority.

Bishop Lukas Katenda, head of the Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church in Namibia (REACH-Namibia), described such accusations as defamatory.

“Alleging that a person is this or that is defamation and assassination of character, which must be discouraged among the clergy,” he said.

Katenda warned that some pastors lack formal theological training and rely on so-called personal revelations, ignoring their responsibilities. He called for stronger accountability within church structures.

The Oukwanyama Traditional Authority also voiced concern. A headman, speaking anonymously, said such accusations are harming families and communities.

“These matters of ruining a person’s reputation are very serious," he said.

"In our culture, we respect our elders. You cannot just say someone is a witch because of a supposed vision."

He encouraged affected individuals to seek recourse through community courts under the justice ministry.

Justice is at hand

Legal precedent suggests courts take such matters seriously. In 2023, the High Court ordered a pastor to pay N$30 000 for calling two women witches on Facebook, while in another case a school principal was awarded N$70 000 in damages over similar allegations.

Namibian Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Christina Van-Dunem Da Fonsech-Shikongo has been leading efforts to clamp down on exploitative religious practices, including cases where vulnerable individuals are manipulated or detained.

Oshana police regional commander Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria condemned the incident.

“This is very bad. How will she go back into the community after this? If she chooses to open a case, it is her right to do so,” he said.