The Tembisa SAPS is warning residents to not trust bogus prophets who they meet on the street.
“These people are not prophets. They are there to rip you off and take your valuable goods and money,” said the Tembisa SAPS spokesperson, Captain Manyadza Ralidzivha.
Capt Ralidzivha said a 23-year-old woman was allegedly robbed of a laptop, hand bag, cellular phone and identity book after she was approached by an unknown man.
The incident took place along a street next to the library in Endulweni Section on Wednesday last week.
“It is believed the victim met with an unknown man who was asking for directions. She told the man she was not familiar with the area. The moment she was about to continue on her journey, a vehicle stopped next to them. The driver was wearing a blue police jacket.
“She trusted the man as she thought he was a police officer. The unknown man started prophesying her, calling her by her rightful names and speaking about her problems. The man in the blue jacket lured her into the car and she was told the ‘prophet’ will pray for her,” he said.
Capt Ralidzivha said the woman was told to bring her valuable documents for the prayer.
“The suspects drove the woman to her home to fetch the documents. She brought her laptop, hand bag, cellular phone and identity book. She then entered the car and drove to the same spot where they had met. The victim was told to fetch a small stone about 70 metres from where the vehicle had stopped. She was also told to not look back,” he said.
According to Capt Ralidzivha, the woman adhered to the instructions. When the woman returned, the bogus prophet and driver had fled the scene.
He said a case of theft under false pretenses was opened.
“We are encouraging community members to beware of criminals pretending to be prophets,” he said.
