Prof James ‘Godo’ Mthembu Shot Dead

Well-known Manguzi traditional healer Prof James “Godo” Mthembu has reportedly been shot dead. Image: Ayanda Msweli TV, YouTube.

Prof James “Godo” Mthembu, a well-known traditional healer from KwaZulu-Natal, has reportedly been shot dead at his home in Manguzi, UMhlabuyalingana.

The news of his passing was reported by Malindisa news early on Saturday and later confirmed by Ilanga News and Mandla Chris News, who spoke to the Mthembu family.

It is said that Godo, whose nickname is a short for UGod’olulal’amankankane, was with his family on Friday night around 22:30 when a young man entered his home and opened fire, fatally wounding him. Further details on the motive and suspect are yet to be released.

Godo, although already well-known in UMhlabuyalingana at that time, gained media attention around 2016 when he publicly condemned the killing of people with albinism for muti purposes.

He was later featured on newspapers and YouTube videos, where it was revealed that in addition to being a traditional healer, he also owned multiple businesses, including a number of minibus taxis which operate in northern KZN.

In 2023, Mthembu’s fame soared when he, in response to Ayanda Msweli’s plea for help, successfully helped a family that was haunted by spirits at night, without charging a fee.

In a YouTube video published two months before his death, Godo confirmed that he had 15 wives and 69 children.