--- title: "Apartheid’s Stratcom, a Trump connection; and can traditional healers be arrested for witchcraft?" description: "Apartheid’s Stratcom saw US Trump ally Edwin Feulner as an advisor. Can traditional healers be arrested for witchcraft claims? Plus, how unchecked leaks worsen Johannesburg’s water crisis." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "THE WEEKEND WRAP" author: "Daily Maverick" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/dailymaverick/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-15-apartheids-stratcom-a-trump-connection-and-can-traditional-healers-be-arrested-for-witchcraft/" published: "2025-02-15T07:00:04" updated: "2025-02-15T07:07:00" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 918 --- # Apartheid’s Stratcom, a Trump connection; and can traditional healers be arrested for witchcraft? > Apartheid’s Stratcom saw US Trump ally Edwin Feulner as an advisor. Can traditional healers be arrested for witchcraft claims? Plus, how unchecked leaks worsen Johannesburg’s water crisis. By Daily Maverick · Published 15 February 2025, 09:00 SAST · Updated 15 February 2025, 09:07 SAST ## Key points - In a weekend of revelations, we discover that apartheid's Stratcom sought advice from a Trump ally, ponder whether traditional healers might face witchcraft charges, and lament Johannesburg's water crisis, where leaks are guzzling more water than a thirsty elephant at a watering hole. - Apartheid's Stratcom linked influential Trump ally Edwin Feulner to the regime's propaganda efforts, raising concerns over historical connections. - Mbuyiseni Ndlozi's resignation from the EFF signals potential decline and highlights the trend of transactional politics in South Africa. - Johannesburg faces a severe water crisis, with 26.5% of its supply lost daily due to unchecked leaks, exacerbating the situation. - Gogo Maweni's assault case ignites a national debate on the legal status of witchcraft, challenging traditional beliefs and practices. ## Content ## The Weekend Wrap Apartheid’s Stratcom saw US Trump ally Edwin Feulner as an advisor. Can traditional healers be arrested for witchcraft claims? Plus, how unchecked leaks worsen Johannesburg’s water crisis. ## [Apartheid’s Stratcom agents viewed influential US Trump ally Edwin Feulner ‘as source of advice’](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-13-apartheid-stratcom-agents-trump-edwin-feulner/) Stratcom steered the apartheid regime’s propaganda war against democracy. A former cop tied to it alleged that its agents were in contact with US figures, one who appears influential in Donald Trump’s administration. Trump, meanwhile, is now accused of pushing propaganda against South Africa. By Caryn Dolley ## [Ndlozi’s EFF resignation — joining another party could bolster mercenary trend in SA politics](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-10-ndlozis-eff-resignation-joining-another-party-could-bolster-mercenary-trend-in-sa-politics/) The resignation of Mbuyiseni Ndlozi from the EFF shows what appears to be the inexorable decline of the party. It may again confirm that EFF leader Julius Malema is unable to build sustainable structures. If Ndlozi goes to another party, it would show how transactional our politics has become. By Stephen Grootes ## The Weekend Wrap Apartheid’s Stratcom saw US Trump ally Edwin Feulner as an advisor. Can traditional healers be arrested for witchcraft claims? Plus, how unchecked leaks worsen Johannesburg’s water crisis. ![stratcom trump erasmus fuelner](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/stratcom-trump-caryn-720x360.jpg) ## [Apartheid’s Stratcom agents viewed influential US Trump ally Edwin Feulner ‘as source of advice’](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-13-apartheid-stratcom-agents-trump-edwin-feulner/) Stratcom steered the apartheid regime’s propaganda war against democracy. A former cop tied to it alleged that its agents were in contact with US figures, one who appears influential in Donald Trump’s administration. Trump, meanwhile, is now accused of pushing propaganda against South Africa. By Caryn Dolley ![ndlozi eff resignation politics](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ndlozi-Resignation-Analysis-Grootes-copy-720x360.jpg) ## [Ndlozi’s EFF resignation — joining another party could bolster mercenary trend in SA politics](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-10-ndlozis-eff-resignation-joining-another-party-could-bolster-mercenary-trend-in-sa-politics/) The resignation of Mbuyiseni Ndlozi from the EFF shows what appears to be the inexorable decline of the party. It may again confirm that EFF leader Julius Malema is unable to build sustainable structures. If Ndlozi goes to another party, it would show how transactional our politics has become. By Stephen Grootes ![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Totsiens_Header-720x405.jpg) ## [Totsiens my skatties — all the best in the US](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-14-totsiens-my-skatties-all-the-best-in-the-us/) Julle mense will be missed proper, but as the saying goes, Africa is nie vir sissies nie. By Malibongwe Tyilo ## [SA works the Washington halls to avert aid and trade crisis](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-13-sa-works-the-washington-halls-to-avert-aid-and-trade-crisis/) South Africa’s newly minted ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, has said the country is very worried about the rapid rise in tensions between the two countries. Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Ronald Lamola, says Rasool is working the halls in Washington to fix the relationship. We started by asking how to exercise geopolitical diplomacy in a social media age which favours megaphone diplomacy. By Ferial Haffajee ![sa washington rasool](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ferial-Chrispin01-copy-720x359.jpg) ## [The harsh mathematics of land reform in SA](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-10-after-the-bell-the-harsh-mathematics-of-land-reform-in-sa/) Trump's executive order to resettle Afrikaner 'refugees' highlights the absurdity of a wealthy minority seeking asylum from a government they largely benefit from, while simultaneously raising eyebrows about the cost-benefit analysis of land reform in SA. By Tim Cohen ## [Gogo Maweni’s assault case ignites debate on witchcraft’s legal status in South Africa](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-12-gogo-mawenis-assault-case-ignites-debate-on-witchcrafts-legal-status-in-south-africa/) Gogo Maweni has regularly shared with her followers that she is not averse to using her remedies, traditional knowledge and potions to get even or bewitch those who betray or harm her and her family. By Michelle Banda ## [We Afrikaners are once again skunks](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2025-02-11-we-afrikaners-are-once-again-skunks/) For years, Solidarity and AfriForum have been nagging the US to view Afrikaners as victims, but only with a madman in the White House could this happen. Now we other Afrikaners must step in and show that we are not all like that’. 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Bok captain Siya Kolisi accompanied him. By Craig Ray [![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023_04_24_CROSSWORDS-GIF-TEST3-1.gif)](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/mini-crosswords/) ## [Daily Mini Crossword Quickie](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/mini-crosswords/) [Play here.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/mini-crosswords/) ## [Shakespeare’s enchantment shines as The Tempest captivates Cape Town audiences under the stars](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-13-shakespeares-enchantment-shines-as-the-tempest-captivates-cape-town-audiences-under-the-stars/?dm_source=dm_block_list&dm_medium=card_link&dm_campaign=maverick-life) At Maynardville, under the stars and under the guiding hand of a sage director, The Tempest is a sui generis Shakespearean oddity that is more than the sum of its parts. By Keith Bain ## [Have a meaningful money convo this Valentine’s Day](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-13-how-to-have-a-heartfelt-chat-about-money-this-valentines-day/?dm_source=dm_block_grid&dm_medium=card_link&dm_campaign=business-maverick) While many will celebrate love on Valentine’s Day today, money matters may be the furthest thing from their minds. However, the month of love and romance could also be an opportune time to initiate a heartfelt conversation about finances and money management. By Neesa Moodley ## [Alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, but it leads to a worse night’s rest overall – here’s why](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-11-alcohol-may-help-you-fall-asleep-faster-but-it-leads-to-a-worse-nights-rest-overall-heres-why/?dm_source=dm_block_grid&dm_medium=card_link&dm_campaign=maverick-life) If you sometimes use alcohol to help you fall asleep, here are some things you can do instead. 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