Witchcraft case   |18 November 2023

Dr Patrick Herminie allowed to travel for medical treatment

Dr Patrick Herminie, one of the accused in the witchcraft-related offences filed on October 2, was yesterday granted permission by the Magistrate’s Court to travel for medical treatment in South Africa from December 4 to 15.

The court ordered that his passport be made available to him, yesterday afternoon and he will have to submit his passport to the court upon his return.

All the accused in the case were yesterday expected to plead. They are a Tanzanian national, Ali Ali Said; Simon Dine, 62, of Reef Estate; Marcel Naiken, 49, of Baie Lazare; Yvon Legaie, 54, of Ma Joie; Jules Radegonde, 58, of La Digue; Bashir Umarji, 48, of Quincy Village; Kenette Evenor, 44, of Grand Anse Mahé, and Dr Patrick Herminie, 60, of Mont Buxton.

However, due to amendments in the charges, the case was rescheduled for December 22, 2023.

Dr Herminie’s lawyer put forward a motion that will be heard on December1. The Tanzanian suspect, Ali Ali Said has been remanded to prison and will appear in court on December 1.

The police, through the prosecutor’s office, had initially brought forward a total of 53 charges against the eight men with the Tanzanian facing the most charges.

They encompass a range of offences; namely being in possession of anything intended to be used for the purpose of witchcraft, conspiracy to exercise in witchcraft, non-natural and superstitious mean, counselling and procuring another person in exercising witchcraft, non-natural and superstitious mean and soliciting any person to advise him on any matter for the purpose whatsoever by witchcraft, non-natural or other superstitious means.

The accused are represented by lawyers Anthony Juliette, France Bonté, Joel Camille, Ryan Laporte, Basil Hoareau and Daniel Cesar.

Prosecution is being represented by Shana Durup.

Vidya Gappy