G. Diop, a 43-year-old healer, appeared before the criminal court of the Thiès High Court on charges of rape and quackery. He is accused of bewitching and sexually abusing a young woman, K. Tine. The events took place in Tatène Sérère, in the commune of Notto Diobass.

According to the investigation, on June 5, 2023, the complainant, K. Tine, filed a complaint with the Thiès Research Section against the traditional healer G. Diop. During her interview with investigators, she stated that, suffering from a psychiatric illness (farou rab) that caused frequent episodes since 2019, her cousin, B. Faye, had recommended she consult the traditional healer G. Diop. She recounted that she subsequently went to his home for treatment. The young woman, K. Tine, asserted that during her first visit to the healer, G. Diop had her take mystical baths in a dedicated space called a "khambe."

However, K. Tine added that during her second visit to G. Diop, accompanied by her cousin B. Faye and her grandmother, the healer, after a consultation, invited her to undress for another mystical bath. She specified that as she was washing, G. Diop joined her and began caressing her until she lost consciousness. According to K. Tine, when she regained consciousness, she noticed bleeding from her private parts and abdominal pain, while G. Diop was wiping himself. The complainant noted that when she asked what had just happened, G. Diop simply advised her to remain silent, lest it disrupt his treatment.

When questioned, the accused admitted to investigators that he had received the complainant at his home twice for treatment. He stated that during the first appointment, the woman had suddenly closed the bedroom door and rushed at him completely naked, insistently demanding that he have sex with her. Mr. G. Diop added that, so as not to frighten his patients, he agreed to have sex with her before suggesting she take a bath and go home.

During his second interrogation before the investigating judge, G. Diop recanted his initial statement. He had admitted that he was the one who asked the complainant to undress before beginning to touch her intimate parts until he forced her to the ground and penetrated her. The healer then emphasized that it was only after he had ejaculated that he noticed blood on K. Tine's genitals. He also stated that he would take responsibility should the victim become pregnant or ill.

The medical certificate stated old hymenal tears at 09 a.m. and a recent hymenal tear bleeding on contact at 06 a.m.

In court this Wednesday, April 15, the defendant changed his story again, categorically denying the charges. "I received K. Tine, who came to my home for treatment. She had 'farou rab' (a type of ailment), and I gave her mystical baths as part of her treatment. I never had sexual relations with her. Each time, she took her mystical bath alone and went home," G. Diop stated.

The victim, K. Tine, reiterated her accusations. She reaffirmed that G. Diop had asked her to undress for a mystical bath at her private parts. "When he asked me to do this, I told him to leave and leave me alone. He left for a moment and came back to find me naked. He started caressing me, and I tried to resist, but he ended up penetrating me. He's the one who took my virginity," explained K. Tine, before announcing that she had forgiven the accused by writing a letter of withdrawal.

For the public prosecutor, the acts of rape and quackery are undisputed. He notes that the sexual penetration is not contested and has been confirmed by a medical certificate. The prosecution observed that the victim has been consistent in her statements, unlike the accused. Consequently, it concluded that G. Diop is guilty of the charges and requested a 15-year prison sentence.

The defense, represented by lawyers Ayi, Faty, and Gomis, argued that there are already significant unanswered questions in this case. What, they maintained, is how this woman was raped in the presence of her grandmother. The defense emphasized that the victim was accompanied by her cousin, B. Faye, and her grandmother at the time of the alleged assault. The lawyers also pointed out that G. Diop testified in court that he had never had sexual relations with the victim, which, they argued, casts doubt on his credibility. Consequently, the defense pleaded for the defendant's acquittal on all charges.

The verdict is scheduled for May 12, 2026.