A 26-year-old woman lost over N$190 000 after she was allegedly scammed by a 28-year-old pastor of a revival church in Outapi.
Deputy commissioner Andreas Johannes confirmed the incident, stating that a case has been opened against the pastor. “He is under a warrant of arrest,” he said. Johannes added that the police have spoken to the pastor’s lawyer. “The lawyer told the police that he would hand the pastor over today [yesterday],” he said.
The suspect will appear in court soon.
The victim said last year, her business was not doing well, and she was referred by a friend to seek prayer at the suspect’s church.
“I went to his church. The pastor charged me N$400, which I paid,” she noted.
The businesswoman narrated that the following month, the pastor called to ask how her business was progressing. “I told him that the business is doing well,” she said. The pastor then requested N$60 000, promising to refund it later. “He told me that he wanted to buy equipment for his church,” she added.
The victim mentioned that the pastor continued asking her for money on various occasions.
She said she was convinced her money would be refunded once he made more from his church.
“I kept sending him money because I hoped that he would refund it,” she said.
When she afterwards called the pastor to ask for her money, he told her he was still saving.
The victim said the pastor started threatening her, saying he would kill her and then commit suicide.
Eventually, the pastor told her to collect the equipment from his church which was purchased with her money.
“I sent one of his church members. She took some equipment, but later it was returned because he threatened to kill me,” she narrated.
The devastated woman said the pastor and his girlfriend, who is a police officer, opened a fake case against her.
It is alleged that the pastor and his girlfriend submitted a false report, claiming that the victim broke into the church and stole N$50 000.
The case was withdrawn because there was no truth to it.
Speaking to this publication, the pastor defended himself, saying that he received the money from the victim while they were in a relationship.
“She came to my church, seeking prayer. I offered to help her, and later we fell in love,” the pastor added.
He said he is willing to pay back the victim’s money.
When approached for comment, the alleged police officer, who is in a relationship with the pastor, refused to speak.
It is alleged that she is also the daughter of a police officer in Outapi.
Police supremo Joseph Shikongo stated that this matter was never reported to his office.
He noted that he knows the female officer from the time she was working in Windhoek.
“Even in Windhoek, she did not behave well. She had issues with other officers,” he stressed.
He said he would contact the victim for further investigation.
“Police officers should refrain from doing wrong things,” he urged.