Ripple Effects of Witchcraft-Related Violence: Perspectives from South African Victims

This article explores the ripple effects of witchcraft-related violence on families in rural Limpopo Province, South Africa. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 28 women who experienced witchcraft-related violence directly or indirectly, the study uses thematic and narrative analysis to examine how participants understood and described these experiences. Drawing on Arthur W. Frank’s complementary perspectives on narrative forms (linear, fragmented, and chaotic) and narrative typologies (chaos, restitution, and guest), participants’ stories were interpreted and constructed. The findings show that the effects of witchcraft-related violence extend beyond those directly accused, with family members experiencing family victimisation, secondary victimisation, secondary targeting, collective blame, and stigma. These processes contribute to ongoing fear, social exclusion, displacement, and insecurity within families and communities. By conceptualising these experiences as ripple effects, the article demonstrates how witchcraft-related violence unfolds across family relationships and contributes to a broader understanding of victimisation within rural South African communities.