Last week the Herald reported on a type of “muti” that is being used in order to rob residents of their money.
The Randfontein Police gave a stern warning.
“This office does experience sporadic reports of incidents which involves the use of a substance which is smeared on the victims. The modus operandi is as follow: One of the suspects walk up to the intended target, smearing an oily substance onto the arm of the victim. A second person then approach and indicate that he sees that the person was smeared with “muti”, acting station commander Colonel Marius Smit said.
He continued,
The victims are then told the “muti” is a curse that must be washed away. The victim is then taken to a secluded area, where he is told to put his possessions in a container, be it a plastic bag or in some instances an envelope. The rescuer then tells the victim the spell will be removed from the possessions. They pray together and then when the victim leaves, they normally realise that their possessions are gone.
“These incidents normally occur right after victims, mostly elderly persons, withdrew money from the bank, therefore it is speculated that victims are watched and targeted. This office would appreciate if members of the community can be made aware of this modus operandi which criminals employ to rob innocent victims.”
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