Duped by voodoo scam

Businessmen lose thousands to bewitching pair

A GROUP of KwaDukuza businessmen say they have been manipulated into handing over thousands of rands to a pair of “voodoo magic” scammers over the past few years.

Their claims surfaced after the recent arrest and court appearance of KwaDukuza residents Morgu- saran Singh, 38, and Miriam Khan, 54, in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on charges of theft under false pretences. They are alleged to have jointly conned at least 10 individuals in the past few years by first frightening them into believing they were the victims of witchcraft and then offering to “protect” them for thousands of rands.

Neither of them could be reached for comment.

Several of their alleged victims belong to a circle of friends who frequented a club where Singh was said to be a familiar sight. It is owned by of one of the first people to be targeted in the scam.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the businessman who lodged the case against the two said he had lost R10 000 last year after being coerced into accepting their “help” to protect himself from the effects of a small cloth bundle that had been thrown in the entrance of his business premises.

“It was a black piece of cloth with nutmeg and needles in it. There were also some ashes and some coins.” He was introduced to the duo by a friend who had received their “help” before.

He said Khan visited his business for a “cleansing ceremony” that involved cigarettes, camphor blocks and disinfectant fluid. “I paid her R1 000,” he said.

He later paid an additional R9 000 for a bad-luck cleansing ritual at a beach near KwaDukuza.

N-Force security director Nitesh Arjun, who helped to

arrest Khan and Singh, said he knew of at least 10 people affected by the scam. He first became aware of it after one of his clients, who asked not to be named, asked him to investigate the pair.

His client, he said, was told by the pair that they could help him thwart those casting spells on him for R10 000. “My client called and said he was scared by this lady and wanted us to check them out.”

The client’s “magic” troubles began in September when he discovered a cloth bundle in the yard of his home.

“I got a sangoma to come and clean it up. He said it was harmless and that these guys were just playing with people’s minds,” the client said.

Four similar incidents — the final one involving a crudely made doll — prompted him to install cameras on his property.

“When I looked at the footage, I realised I knew this guy very well. Even though you couldn’t see his face very clearly, I could tell it was him because he’s got a very particular type of walk — he walks like Donald Duck.”

Arjun’s client showed him the footage. Arjun later received a call telling him Singh was preparing to throw something over the wall of another person for whom Khan was conducting an indoor prayer.

He said Singh denied being involved in the scam until he was shown the footage.

The pair were arrested and taken to the KwaDukuza police. National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said they were out on bail of R1 000 each.

The matter has been postponed to December 9 for further investigation.