Abstract

The Free State province in South Africa has become an epicenter for a novel form of violence wherein criminal youth gangs incorporate elements of African witchcraft and esoteric belief ideology into their gang practices. A vital component of these practices is the use of traditional African medicine or ‘muti’ which is comprised of plants, herbs and in extreme cases, human organs and blood, and is utilized to further coercive, ritualistic and violent purposes within gangs. Despite growing reports of muti-related rituals including organ harvesting, the consumption of human blood, and the use of paraphernalia believed to enhance invincibility, official crime statistics and empirical literature remain limited. Moreover, no studies in the region have been conducted directly exploring gang members’ perspectives and lived realities regarding how muti is conceptualized and used within the context of the gang. Grounded in subcultural and cultural transmission theory, this study draws on qualitative data to examine the symbolic, functional and ideological roles of muti in youth gangs in the Free State. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 23 active gang members, 16 non-gang-affiliated offenders and 18 criminal justice professionals, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The findings revealed that muti is not merely a symbolic tool but is embedded in gang initiation rites, hierarchy, identity, ideology and violence. Gang members believed muti to be a means of acquiring supernatural protection and enhance spiritual power, instilling fear, and affirming loyalty to the gang. The manipulation of muti for criminal gain represents a distinct departure from conventional gang norms and signals a broader spiritualisation of gang identity in the province, while simultaneously perpetuating illegal organ harvesting and trade within the region. This study offers a unique contribution to gang scholarship by documenting how indigenous belief systems are appropriated and weaponised in youth criminal subcultures. Moreover, the study provides critical insights for the development of culturally informed intervention strategies, particularly in contexts where traditional spirituality intersects with organised violence.
Keywords: occult-gang, youth gang, typology, witchcraft, devil worship, ritual, muti , demon.

Biography

Dr Ashwill Ramon Phillips is a Lecturer in the Department of Criminology at the University of the Free State, South Africa. He holds a PhD in Criminology and specializes in youth deviance, gang subcultures, and criminogenic risk trajectories. His research focuses on the socio-cultural dynamics of youth gangs, including the intersection of gang identity with occult practices and symbolic violence. Dr Phillips has published and presented extensively on pathways to youth misconduct, resilience, and the formation of deviant identities. His work is rooted in qualitative and reflexive methodologies, and he is committed to advancing criminological knowledge that informs both theory and practice. Dr Phillips is also actively involved in curriculum development, postgraduate supervision, and community engagement initiatives with the Department of Correctional Services.