The Ekurhuleni Metro Police (EMPD) arrested a traditional healer and his two assistants on 13 March in Honeydew for allegedly scamming a man out of R2.5 million.
According to Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago of Ekurhuleni Police, the healer asked the man to pay him R4.5 million to treat his son who is very ill.
“A father, desperate for his child to be healed of a life-threatening ailment, was referred to a traditional healer, who allegedly uses a python to heal patients. The parent claims that he was charged R4.5m for the treatment of his sick child.”
Chief Supt Kgasago said the man informed the police that he had already paid R2.5 million in two instalments but noticed that something was wrong when his son’s condition worsened.
“A 10m long python was confiscated by the Roodepoort SPCA and the three suspects will appear in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on 16 March,” added Chief Supt Kgasago.
Roodepoort SPCA manager Mandi Cattanach confirmed that the SPCA confiscated a Burmese python that was kept in a dark Wendy-house.
“The snake was taken to Joburg Zoo for safe keeping by the SPCA until it recovers fully.”
