Forex trader’s quest for quick riches ends in tears

A KwaZulu-Natal forex trader, who thought he would be killed in what may have been a ritual human sacrifice, has told police he would no longer pursue the case because his life has allegedly been threatened by two traditional healers.

According to police, the man no longer wants to speak to them because he feared witchcraft would be used against him.

On 1 February, the 25-yearold man was rescued by the Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) from what he believed was to be a human sacrifice ritual.

He had been at a car wash in Mhlasini, north of Durban, where he met a trainee sangoma, who promised him instant riches. The young man found himself in a life-threatening predicament because he allegedly wanted a shortcut to being rich.

“The victim was informed that he would be able to purchase cars, a home and become a millionaire,” according to Rusa.

On the day of the ritual, the victim, accompanied by the trainee sangoma, visited two traditional healers – one from Mozambique in Pinetown and another from Zimbabwe in Durban.

On their way to the second traditional healer, the victim was informed by a random man that he was being led to his death. “A male informed him that the trainee sangoma was allegedly planning to sacrifice him after lighting incense sticks and conducting a final ritual,” said Rusa. The victim was unable to run away and was led inside the traditional healer’s lair, where the healer started to burn incense, making the victim dizzy.

“At about 10pm, the victim then decided to contact one of Rusa’s officers he had once asked assistance from for a job. “The complainant mentioned that he needed to be rescued and provided some information. He added that he could not take a call and provided details of his location and a door number,” said Rusa.

When the officers got to the traditional healer’s location, they found the victim and expedited him to the police station.

The following morning, the victim took a taxi back to his home town.

According to Rusa spokesperson Prem Balram, the victim did not open a case.

“He has now switched off his phone, but when he called, he informed me he is allegedly getting threats from two of the healers.

“He was very upset and he believes that they might try to kill him,” said Balram.

A stranger warned him he was being led to his death