In a surprising development that has shaken the political landscape of Seychelles, Patrick Herminie, the leader of the United Seychelles Party (USP) – the main opposition party – has been indicted on charges of witchcraft. Herminie, who plans to run in the 2025 presidential election, along with seven other individuals, is now facing an unexpected and unorthodox legal battle. Witchcraft charges are a rarity in modern legal systems, making this case a curious addition to Seychelles’ political discourse.
The charges stem from an investigation related to the discovery of two exhumed bodies at a cemetery on the island of Mahe. Herminie and the other accused individuals face multiple charges, including possession of items intended for use in witchcraft and conspiracy to perform witchcraft. The police claim to have found documents in Herminie’s possession that were suspected to have been stolen from vandalized locations, including Catholic churches. Furthermore, Herminie’s name allegedly appeared in a WhatsApp conversation between a Seychellois and a Tanzanian, the latter arrested in September in possession of items related to witchcraft.
Denying the charges, Herminie has labelled the event as a political maneuver aimed at tarnishing his reputation and that of his party. He informed local media that his arrest and the subsequent prosecution are attempts to politically undermine him. Herminie was released on bail along with the other Seychellois defendants, while the Tanzanian suspect remains in custody, awaiting the hearing in November.
The indictment of Herminie has stirred a political controversy in Seychelles, with the opposition leader accusing President Wavel Ramkalawan of orchestrating his arrest to sideline political rivals ahead of the upcoming 2025 elections. His party’s headquarters were raided by over 40 police officers in search of items related to witchcraft, but they found no incriminating evidence, according to Herminie.
In an intriguing twist to the case, a Tanzanian suspect was arrested at Seychelles’ main international airport. Prosecutors allege that the suspect was in possession of items related to witchcraft, including stones, black wooden artifacts, small bottles of brownish liquid, and documents with strange language and demonic symbols. These documents were reportedly similar to those found in vandalized Catholic churches and other places on the island.
As the case unfolds and heads towards trial in November, Seychelles’ political climate remains fraught with tension and curiosity.