Four men posing as prophets were arrested by the metro police in Ecaleni Section in Tembisa on March 12.
Chief Supt Wilfred Kgasago, the metro police spokesperson, said information about four men using a VW Golf masquerading as prophets and promising their victims miraculous happenings that would result in the doubling of their fortunes was received by the EMPD Winnie Mandela Precinct and EMPD Community Liaison Unit members.
Following the monitoring of the false prophets over a couple of days, on March 12, around 5pm, the metro police managed to apprehend the four suspects and also impounded their vehicle.
“The modus operandi of the suspects is to approach people on the streets of Tembisa and sweet talk them into handing over their valuables such as cellphones and wallets. They are then given an instruction to pick up three stones as they walk away without turning their backs with a promise that God’s miracle would result in instant riches,” said Kgasago.
One victim decided to look back and saw the four suspects speeding away in their VW Golf.
The metro police officers were alerted and a chase ensued resulting in the VW Golf cornered and all four suspects arrested in Ecaleni Section.
The victim’s valuables were recovered.
The four arrested suspects, aged between 43 and 58 from Mamelodi in Pretoria, were charged at Tembisa Police Station with robbery under false pretences.
