Alleged false prophets nabbed in Pretoria

Two alleged false prophets have been arrested in Hatfield, reports Pretoria East Rekord.

Police spokesperson Captain Colette Weilbach said the police made the arrests following a tip-off from a newspaper vendor.

“On Wednesday, 27 February at about 11:15, a 21-year-old student from the University of Pretoria was approached by an unknown man at a bus stop.

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“He started a conversation with her. Another man joined them and the first man prophesied over the second.”

Weilbach said he then turned his attention back to the student and prophesied also over her, telling her about all her problems and that she needs prayers.

“He asked her how much money she has on her and in the bank.”

“He then advised her to withdraw all her money.”

“Then he told her that he needed to tear off a corner of each banknote so that he can bless it.

“She then was supposed to bath with it.”

Weilbach said the victim was told that her laptop had ants that turned into something else that slept with her at night and as such he also wanted to pray for the laptop.

The vendor spotted the two men with the girl.

“The circumstances looked suspicious to him so he reported it to Brooklyn SAPS.”

Weilbach said the police immediately responded and found the two men with the student.

“When the police heard what was happening they realized that the men tried to con the student.”

The duo, both aged 36, from Atteridgeville, were arrested for conspiracy to commit a crime and will appear in the Hatfield Community Court.

Weilbach said investigations continue to link the two to other similar cases.

“Brooklyn SAPS is investigating a number of fraud and theft cases where criminals exploited people with trusting attitudes by pretending to be prophets.”

She urged residents not to trust strangers blindly and to use common sense to prevent these types of crimes.

“Avoid street prayers and blessings offered by strangers.”

“Rather go for counselling and prayers at a church where a trust relationship was built up with the preacher.”

She said the vendor said he feels proud that his tip-off led to the arrests. He said newspaper vendors are in a position to observe a lot of things happening in the streets.

He encourages all newspaper vendors to be the eyes and ears of the police.

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