A 25-year-old woman from Difateng section was robbed of her cellphone and cash on March 2.
Captain Manyadza Ralidzhivha said the victim alleges that while she was on her way to Tembisa Mall, in Endulweni section along Andrew Mapheto Drive, an unknown man approached her.
“He greeted her and started to talk to her. The man started to tell her [her] problems as a prophecy. Immediately a vehicle stopped next to them. The man in the car produced a card and said he was a police officer. The prophet switched from giving prophecy to the woman and started to give prophecy to the man in the car,” said Captain Ralidzhivha.
“The victim was then told to get into the car. The bogus prophet continued to give more prophecies to the man in the car.”
“The prophet switched back to the victim and told her that he will need money so that he can help her get rid of her problems. The woman got into the car and drove with the men to Tembisa Mall,” said Capt Ralidzhivha.
The victim went into the bank to increase her daily limit.
“As the queue was too long, she went to an ATM and withdrew her daily limit. She returned to the car. They all drove to Difateng section, where the prophet gave instructions to the driver and told him to go a short distance away while counting off nine houses. The fake prophet would pray in the process so that when the driver returned, he would be informed of his problems. The man was told to leave all his belongings in the car. He did as instructed.
“The woman was also instructed to walk away, counting off nine houses and to then pick up a stone which she must return to the prophet. She did as instructed and when she returned the vehicle was nowhere to be found.”
Captain Ralidzhivha said the woman’s money and her cellphone were taken by the bogus prophet.
Tembisa SAPS is investigating a case of general theft.
