Do black candles exist?

One of the two teenagers, accused of the murder of two schoolgirls, is seen covered with a blanket as he is escorted after appearing in the Protea Magistrate's Court in Soweto on Friday, 21 February 2014. The matter was postponed.Proceedings were held in camera as the two boys, both aged 16, are minors. They were arrested in connection with the murder of Thandeka Moganetsi and Chwayita Rathazayo, aged 15 and 16, who were found dead in Dobsonville, Soweto, on Wednesday. Police said the two girls were dressed in George Khosa Secondary School uniforms and had cuts on their hands and necks.Three black candles and two new razor blades were found on the scene.The boys, who are from the same school, remained in custody. Picture: Werner Beukes/SAPA

One of the two teenagers, accused of the murder of two schoolgirls, is seen covered with a blanket as he is escorted after appearing in the Protea Magistrate's Court in Soweto on Friday, 21 February 2014. The matter was postponed.Proceedings were held in camera as the two boys, both aged 16, are minors. They were arrested in connection with the murder of Thandeka Moganetsi and Chwayita Rathazayo, aged 15 and 16, who were found dead in Dobsonville, Soweto, on Wednesday. Police said the two girls were dressed in George Khosa Secondary School uniforms and had cuts on their hands and necks.Three black candles and two new razor blades were found on the scene.The boys, who are from the same school, remained in custody. Picture: Werner Beukes/SAPA

Published Feb 22, 2014

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Johannesburg - Police reported that three black candles and razor blades were found next to the bodies of the two schoolgirls. Earlier, occult expert and sociologist, Kobus Jonker, was quoted as saying black candles were often used to summon demonic spirits and powers of darkness.

But some residents in Dobsonville on Friday questioned the validity of such items and whether they were readily available in the township.

“In all my years, I have never seen a black candle. My family always uses, and has always used, white candles for things such as night vigils, prayers and church ceremonies,” said an elderly woman.

Pakistani shop owner John Hussein said he often purchased different coloured candles to sell to the community, but had never had a customer asking for black candles.

On its website, candle manufacturer Price Candles states that its household candles are available in green, red, yellow, blue, pink and white, but makes no mention of the colour black.

However, the Saturday Star went to a traditional medicine shop along Diagonal Street in Joburg on Friday and bought a standard black candle for R4.

“Are you buying this to bewitch someone?” asked the saleswoman.

Saturday Star

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