Bongani Hans and Phumlile Ntsele
Bodyguards were forced to shield President Jacob Zuma on Saturday, rushing him from the reed dance ceremony venue at Enyokeni Palace in Nongoma when “demons attacked” maidens.
Zuma was escorted from a soccer field where he was supposed to share the stage with King Goodwill Zwelithini in addressing maidens. The guards feared for Zuma’s safety when the event turned chaotic, apparently as hysterical maidens believed demons were “attacking them”.
The king’s speech was interrupted by women crying uncontrollably. They were pushing each other towards an area where Zuma and the king were seated, which led to bodyguards rushing to the stage to whisk the president away.
Zuma later returned to his seat after the women had calmed down, but did not deliver his speech as it was too late.
Visibly annoyed, the king said the women were possessed by evil spirits.
It is understood that the maidens began hallucinating on Friday. They were crying and rolling on the ground.
Provincial Department of Arts and Culture spokesman Mluleki Mtungwa said some were admitted to the Benedictine Hospital in Nongoma, while others were taken to Osuthu Clinic outside the palace.
A source said religious leaders were called in on Friday to pray to chase away evil spirits. The prayers continued on Saturday as some of the young women were still agitated.