ONGWEDIVA – A 40-year-old man, who claimed to be a pastor, was arrested after allegedly scamming his grandmother-in-law, a cancer patient, by falsely promising to cure her.

The incident occurred between 26 and 27 September at Onheleiwa village in the Oshana region. The suspect was arrested on Monday at his residence in Okandjengedi location, Oshakati.  The arrest was confirmed by Oshana Nampol Deputy Commissioner Fredrick Ndjadila.

The police said the suspect was referred to the victim by his girlfriend.

During the arrest, police discovered suspected stolen property in one of the rooms. The suspect failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the possession of the items.

One live tortoise, four black solar batteries (100Ah each), one white HP computer monitor, one solar charge controller, one solar inverter and one large black bag were seized.

The total value of the items is estimated at N$22 600. The tortoise was handed over to officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.

It is alleged that the suspect sometimes presented himself as a pastor and at other times as a traditional healer, though no church affiliation has been found.

One of the victim’s granddaughters who witnessed the incident told New Era that her grandmother is currently battling cancer, which resulted in the removal of one breast.

“My cousin, who is the mother of the suspect’s child, invited him to come and pray for our grandmother,” she said

She narrated that the suspect and her cousin visited their homestead, accompanied by four men, including a driver.

“It was in the evening. He ordered our grandmother to leave her bedroom, and they started digging holes inside. They even moved the bed outside,” she said.

The suspect allegedly told the elderly woman that he needed two goats slaughtered so he could place their blood in her bedroom as part of the ritual to “remove demons”.

Initially, the grandmother said she did not have enough goats, but the suspect insisted until she finally agreed.

“They slaughtered the goats, and the men who came with him helped. They brought the carcasses into the bedroom and removed the heads,” the granddaughter said.

The suspect allegedly poured the blood into the holes he had dug, claiming the room was infested with demons.

Later that night, the grandmother gave the driver N$200 for fuel. 

The group returned to Oshakati, taking the two slaughtered goats with them.

The next day, the suspect returned to the homestead, bringing two bottles of water, which he placed in the bedroom as part of the ritual.

Police said the suspect claimed to have found a tortoise under the victim’s bed. 

However, there is no evidence to support that the suspect may have brought it himself and lied about where it was found.The pastor began making further demands, including 40 chairs, 20 iron congregational rods and N$3 000.

This raised suspicion among the family members, who promptly reported the matter to the police.

The elderly woman is currently hospitalised, suffering from shock caused by the incident. Police have noted a growing number of scams involving self-proclaimed pastors and traditional healers. 

Police are urging the public to remain vigilant and report such incidents immediately. – fhamalwa@nepc.com.na