A resident of Winnie Mandela Park in Tembisa, on the East Rand, is urging others to exercise caution after he allegedly lost more than R600,000 to bogus traditional healers, reports The Thembisian.

Andrew (whose surname is withheld to protect his identity) has struggled with a chronic leg condition for several years. Hoping to find herbal remedies, he contacted a traditional healer after seeing an advertisement in a local newspaper.

Instead of receiving herbs, Andrew alleges he was pressured into undergoing a series of intense rituals.

“I never wanted to be healed. I only wanted herbs, but they insisted, and I fell for it,” he said.

Spiritual manipulation and a sold home

Andrew claims that during one ritual, the practitioners told him he was communicating with his ancestors. He said these ‘voices’ nstructed him to place absolute trust in the healers, who referred to themselves as ‘doctor’ and ‘professor’.

He was later told that to be permanently freed from his physical pain, he had to sell his house.

Once the property was sold, Andrew handed over the entire proceeds. He was under the impression the cash would be used in a cleansing ritual and subsequently ‘multiplied’ to help him relocate and start a business.

“They told me not to touch a single cent. After I handed over the money, I went back a few days later and found the doctor’s hut had burned down. There was no sign of anyone,” he said.

Andrew believes he was drugged during the consultations, alleging the group used herbs that left him confused, disoriented, and highly vulnerable to manipulation.

Turned away at the police station

Once the shock wore off, Andrew attempted to open a fraud case at his local police station.

“After I regained my memory, I went to the police, but I was told I had agreed to give them the money and had not been forced,” he said.

Initially, the suspects promised via phone to return his money, claiming their premises had simply burned down, but all communication has since ceased.

When approached for comment, the South African Police Service advised that cases where victims hand over money voluntarily are notoriously difficult to investigate.

However, following enquiries by The Thembisian, police have now encouraged Andrew to return to the Rabasotho SAPS station to present his evidence, including names, photographs, and fingerprints he managed to keep, for a formal assessment by detectives.

A recurring scam in the community

Andrew’s ordeal mirrors a case reported by The Thembisian just two months ago.

In that incident, 63-year-old Kaalfontein Extension 9 resident Thandi Nkonde lost R800,000 to a bogus healer under almost identical circumstances. Nkonde was also convinced to sell her home and hand over the proceeds to have them “multiplied” through rituals. She subsequently opened a fraud case with the Ivory Park SAPS after the suspect vanished.

While there is no direct evidence connecting the two cases, the modus operandi is identical: suspects target vulnerable individuals through classified ads, exploit their health or financial anxieties, and pressure them into selling high-value assets before disappearing with the cash.

Editor’s note: Stay alert to scams

Andrew and Thandi’s experiences are painful reminders of how scammers prey on desperation. To protect yourself and your family, keep the following safety measures in mind:

• Never hand over large sums of cash based on promises of spiritual multiplication, luck, or guaranteed healing.
• Be highly suspicious of secrecy. If a healer or advisor tells you to hide your decisions from your family, they are likely trying to isolate you.
• Take your time. Do not allow anyone to pressure you into selling property or withdrawing life savings on short notice.
• Involve trusted relatives or financial advisors before making any major, life-altering financial decisions.

If you believe you have been targeted by a scam, report it to your nearest SAPS station immediately and preserve all physical evidence, messages, and contact details.

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