A Countdown to Jan Sithole's Death

Witchcraft is the belief in systems of power derived from unseen forces. For people who believe in supernatural powers, those forces are quite real and are not merely metaphorical allusions to mundane phenomena.
Most chiefs and kings derive their power from supernatural sources. To date, states and politicians have used witchcraft powers largely for self-enrichment or empowerment.

This is still highly prevalent in the Kingdom of Eswatini and its last Absolute Monarch, where witchcraft is taken seriously and people firmly believe in it. The country has always had a dual system of operation, using modern as well as cultural (witchcraft) methods to deal with prevailing issues. The official motto of the country is "Siyinqaba", which translates to "we are an enigma".

There is a story of Swati troops who went to assist the British army during the Second World War. In battle they were saved by witchcraft when they vanished into a supernatural mist and therefore evaded their adversaries.
Ideally, Swati muti is supposed to be used to curb crime, heal the sick, keep families together and protect the nation against disasters and enemy attacks. Instead, it is being used to oppress citizens.
The country's rulers are safeguarding deep-rooted dark secrets which are the anchor and pillar of the unshaken draconian rule of King Mswati III. These powers are embedded in most of the traditional ceremonies and even overlap with religion. These dark practices are disguised within Christianity to penetrate the populace. Some of the most celebrated pastors are actually prime agents of high-level witchcraft.

This book shares the experience of the author through "kutsebulwa" and exposes how people and systems are being manipulated by traditional and religious structures through an unprecedented use of witchcraft. Citizens are turned into living robots, or killed, so that the ruling regime can oppress and abuse those it governs for its own benefit and without being challenged.

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