POLOKWANE – Some residents have turned to the police after they were scammed out of money by fake traditional healers and doctors.
These traditional healers and doctors claim to be able to return lost lovers or to cure people of illnesses such as bad luck and even serious illnesses such as HIV/Aids.
One of these scam artists’ victims, Max Mabolela, said he wanted to win his girlfriend of three years back and consulted with a healer called “Dr Mark” after being given one of his pamphlets.
He said he paid R1 000 consultation fee and after the consultation, was told to fetch another R1 500 for medication. But upon his return to the “consultation room” he found that the people had left.
“Thinking they may be in consultation with another person, I phoned the number I had used before, but the phone had been turned off. More calls later revealed that the men conned me and left with my R1 000,” he said.
Another victim with a similar experience was Mary Thembani. However, the total amount she was scammed of, was just over R10 000.
“I believed that taking the traditional route would cure me, but found that not only was I robbed but my belief in the tradition I grew up in was shaken,” Thembani said.
According to Polokwane police spokesperson, WO Lesiba Ramoshaba, these fakers’ marketing strategy was simple yet effective.
“When handing out the pamphlets, these people vouch for the doctor being advertised, saying they were helped by them. This type of scam is on the increase in the city and the motive seems to be to make a ‘quick buck or two’.
Ramoshaba said people should be aware of the following:
• Real doctors will not advertise on the streets.
• If the surroundings of the office or house look dodgy, chances are it is not a real doctor.
• If you have to pay before the consultation something is wrong.
• Real doctors will not use just a first name.
• When a patient is told by the doctor when to start and stop using the medicine prescribed, something is wrong.
• Ask to see the accreditation of the doctor as it should also be hanging in his or her office.
Residents are urged to contact the police and report suspected fake traditional healers or doctors, as well as the people handing out their pamphlets and putting up their posters at (015) 290 6577/8.
