Tshimangadzo Samuel Benedict Daswa lived in Limpopo province, South Africa. He was a family man, a catechist, and principal of Nweli Primary School.
Tshimangadzo Samuel Benedict Daswa lived in Limpopo province, South Africa. He was a family man, a catechist, and principal of Nweli Primary School. Pope Francis called him a "zealous catechist, all-round educator".
On January 25, 1990, during a heavy thunderstorm, lightning burned several huts in his village. Many believed that someone had used charms to cause it. The village council agreed to hire a witch-finder and to collect five rand from everyone to pay him. Daswa argued that lightning is a natural event, and said his Catholic faith did not allow him to take part in anything linked to witchcraft. He refused to pay. Some villagers, already angry at his stand, plotted to kill him.
On February 2, 1990 a mob ambushed his car. Injured, he ran to a nearby house, but they dragged him out. As he knelt praying, they crushed his skull with a club and poured boiling water over him. Witnesses said he died praying, "Father, into your hands I commend my life." He was beatified in 2015.
He forgave. The Bishop of Tzaneen said he died "not seeking revenge", only giving his life to God.
Benedict Daswa was beatified in 2015.