Casablanca authorities demolish witchcraft houses near beach mausoleum

Local authorities in Casablanca proceeded, in the early hours of Friday, to demolish substandard housing erected next to the mausoleum of Sidi Abderrahmane near Ain Diab.

Ten days ago, city's local authorities have ordered people residing in these slums to evacuate them at once. These houses are mainly occupied by people who practice fraudulent and dubious medical practices as well as witchcraft. On social media, many have called on local authorities to put and end to the practice.

According to consistent sources, the governor of Casablanca-Settat Mohamed Mhidia, has already ordered the demolition of said houses. This operation will, however, not concern the mausoleum of Sidi Abderrahmane, whose historical value and religious symbolism will be preserved.

In recent weeks, local authorities in Casablanca have undertaken several operations to free illegally occupied public spaces in different districts of the city. These measures have targeted constructions erected without authorization.