The alleged scam is said to have been ongoing from August 2017 until December 2018, with Hawks spokesperson, Lynda Steyn, telling OFM News that the accused appeared at the Welkom Magistrates Court on Wednesday on charges of theft and fraud.

The victim, who was a teacher, says she trusted that her more than R481 000 would be multiplied into R4 million - believing that through a traditional ceremony this would be achieved. The victim says she was lead to believe that the ceremony would bring results overnight. As a result, the victim claims she was coerced into leaving her employment and hand over her entire pension.

Steyn says following her arrest on 31 August 2020 and subsequent appearance, the case was postponed to 7 September due to the fact that the accused did not have a legal representative. ”They will consult on Monday and that’s when the pre- trial will begin’’.

OFM News