A Harare woman lost $32 000 to two Malawian traditional healers while trying to win back her boyfriend.
Chibagali Bagga Kalumbi (35) and Nasir Stizz Namampetiwa (34) appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe yesterday charged with fraud.
The prosecutor Mrs Idah Maromo alleged that in January this year, Kalumbi and Namampetiwa placed an advert in a local newspaper. They claimed to be traditionalists from Malawi capable of bringing back lost lovers, boosting business and healing complex ailments.
The complainant responded and contacted the pair’s accomplice Joseph Kaunda, who is on the run. Kaunda requested to meet the woman at Parktown shops in Waterfalls. It is alleged that the woman and Kaunda proceeded to a house near the shopping centre where she was introduced to Kalumbi and Namampetiwa.
The woman said she wanted her boyfriend back after separating unceremoniously. The trio demanded $50 consultation fee. They advised the woman to return the following day after lying they wanted to first consult their ancestral spirits that night. They allegedly demanded $1 200 and two goats which were to be thrown into a flowing river as sacrifice.
They went to Manyame River along Harare-Masvingo Road where she remained in car while the trio went to the river to throw the money and goats. After two weeks the trio demanded four beasts to complete the sacrifice.
The cattle valued at $1 200 were to be burnt and the ashes thrown into the river. After realising that the complainant was prey, the trio allegedly lured her into a business of supplying anointing oil to Prophet Walter Magaya.
The complainant contributed $30 000 to the trio who claimed to have contributed the same amount. The pair then disappeared for two weeks. Their mobile phones were no longer available. She spotted them in September and caused their arrest. She lost $32 550 and nothing was recovered.