News / National
Witchcraft scare as $300 airtime money 'shrinks' to $26
14 Sep 2013 at 04:40hrs | Views
A Shurugwi Econet shop operator was left literally clutching thin air after selling mobile phone credit recharge cards worth $300 to three men before the money miraculously "shrank" to $26.
One of the suspects, Orphan Chakanyuka (36), confessed to the police that part of the missing money ($180) had returned to him through juju that he inherited from his grandfather.
The shop operator, Ms Peggy Oliver, quickly noticed the deception soon after the three suspects had boarded a commuter omnibus headed for Gweru.
She reported the matter to the police in Shurugwi who quickly alerted their colleagues at the Shurugwi-Gweru tollgate who arrested the three.
The incident happened at about 12noon on Thursday. Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the arrest of the three, Chakanyuka, Honest Ruwanza (29) and Tawanda Kayola (18) all of Budiriro high-density suburb in Harare.
Insp Mahoko said the three, who are in police custody, were assisting with investigations.
"We are investigating a case of fraud and practising acts associated with witchcraft. Once evidence is put together, the three, Orphan Chakanyuka (36), Honest Ruwanza (29) and Tawanda Kayola (18) will be taken to court," he said.
Police said the three men went to an Econet shop in Shurugwi where they bought airtime worth $300 at a wholesale price of $281.
Insp Mahoko said the Econet shop owner claimed the money changed to $26, just a few minutes later when she checked on it.
He said the woman raised alarm and curious residents and shoppers quickly gathered at the shop.
"The shop owner narrated her story to members of the public. In the process, information was obtained to the effect that the three suspects had boarded a Gweru bound bus. One man had contact details of the driver.
The shop owner reported the matter to the police in Shurugwi who in turn alerted a police officer at the Gweru-Shurugwi tollgate, leading to the arrest of the three," said Insp Mahoko.
He said the three were taken back to Shurugwi where the matter is being investigated.
"The shop operator positively identified the three suspects. Police also recovered $300 worth of airtime cards together with $180 from Chakanyuka. He, however, insisted that the $100 was with the cashier after he somehow failed to take it back," said Insp Mahoko.
Chakanyuka, who claimed to be the gang leader, told this reporter that he uses juju to steal money. He said he was given the juju by his grandfather.
"I inherited the juju from my grandfather when I was a little boy. I first take a bath before applying a liquid substance all over my body. The bathing and the substance I apply enables me to steal without being noticed. It also helps me get my money back as soon as I purchase anything from a shop," he claimed.
One of the suspects, Orphan Chakanyuka (36), confessed to the police that part of the missing money ($180) had returned to him through juju that he inherited from his grandfather.
The shop operator, Ms Peggy Oliver, quickly noticed the deception soon after the three suspects had boarded a commuter omnibus headed for Gweru.
She reported the matter to the police in Shurugwi who quickly alerted their colleagues at the Shurugwi-Gweru tollgate who arrested the three.
The incident happened at about 12noon on Thursday. Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the arrest of the three, Chakanyuka, Honest Ruwanza (29) and Tawanda Kayola (18) all of Budiriro high-density suburb in Harare.
Insp Mahoko said the three, who are in police custody, were assisting with investigations.
"We are investigating a case of fraud and practising acts associated with witchcraft. Once evidence is put together, the three, Orphan Chakanyuka (36), Honest Ruwanza (29) and Tawanda Kayola (18) will be taken to court," he said.
Police said the three men went to an Econet shop in Shurugwi where they bought airtime worth $300 at a wholesale price of $281.
Insp Mahoko said the Econet shop owner claimed the money changed to $26, just a few minutes later when she checked on it.
He said the woman raised alarm and curious residents and shoppers quickly gathered at the shop.
"The shop owner narrated her story to members of the public. In the process, information was obtained to the effect that the three suspects had boarded a Gweru bound bus. One man had contact details of the driver.
The shop owner reported the matter to the police in Shurugwi who in turn alerted a police officer at the Gweru-Shurugwi tollgate, leading to the arrest of the three," said Insp Mahoko.
He said the three were taken back to Shurugwi where the matter is being investigated.
"The shop operator positively identified the three suspects. Police also recovered $300 worth of airtime cards together with $180 from Chakanyuka. He, however, insisted that the $100 was with the cashier after he somehow failed to take it back," said Insp Mahoko.
Chakanyuka, who claimed to be the gang leader, told this reporter that he uses juju to steal money. He said he was given the juju by his grandfather.
"I inherited the juju from my grandfather when I was a little boy. I first take a bath before applying a liquid substance all over my body. The bathing and the substance I apply enables me to steal without being noticed. It also helps me get my money back as soon as I purchase anything from a shop," he claimed.
Source - Chronicle
