Self-styled Prophets Use Snakes to Scam Business Owners
Harare, Zimbabwe – In a shocking turn of events, two self-proclaimed prophets have been arrested for allegedly orchestrating a sinister scam targeting business owners.
The duo, Takudzwa Mwapeta (29) from Granary, Whitehouse, and Sean Chikomba (22) from Budiriro 5A, along with an accomplice who remains at large, are accused of planting snakes in victims' homes and claiming that the individuals were being tormented by evil spirits.
The suspects, members of the Johane Masowe Apostolic sect based in Glen Norah A, meticulously gathered information about their targets before approaching them. In some instances, they colluded with housemaids to siphon cash from the victims.
The arrest occurred early yesterday morning after the trio attempted to extort more than US$6,000 or 20 cattle from a businessman in Glen View. The businessman’s housemaid, Benhilda Nyevedzanai (19), who had conspired with the suspects, has also been arrested.
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Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, Harare provincial police spokesperson, confirmed the arrests and stated that the search for the third suspect is ongoing.
According to investigations, the trio visited one of the businessman’s shops in the Gazaland area in Highfield on Thursday around 4 pm, seeking his contact details.
Self-styled Prophets Use Snakes to Scam Business Owners
Later, one of the suspects, identifying himself as Chiremba Takudzwa, contacted the businessman, claiming to foresee an evil spirit threatening his family and his daughter at boarding school.
The suspect instructed the businessman to mix water with coarse salt and sprinkle it around his house, particularly in the bedroom. During this process, the businessman’s wife discovered a live python in their wardrobe. The suspects then directed the couple to leave the snake undisturbed and meet them at Gazaland Shopping Centre.
The suspects performed a so-called cleansing ceremony at a river in the Waterfalls area before returning to the businessman’s house, where the python was still present. They demanded 20 cattle and money to appease the snake, claiming it needed to be returned to Mozambique.
The businessman negotiated the demands down and placed US$400 in a sack with the python. The suspects then took the sack and demanded an additional US$50 for their travel expenses to Mozambique.
Suspicious of the events, the businessman later checked his maid’s phone and discovered prior communications with the suspects. Under questioning, the maid admitted to her involvement and revealed that the suspects had visited the house earlier that day.
The police continue to investigate the case and search for the remaining suspect.
