Harare woman loses $32,000 to traditional healers trying to win back her boyfriend

A Harare woman allegedly lost $32 000 to two Malawian traditional healers while trying to win back the affection of her boyfriend. Chibagali Bagga Kalumbi (35) and Nasir Stizz Namampetiwa (34) appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe today charged with fraud. 

Prosecutor Mrs Idah Maromo alleged that in January this year, Kalumbi and Namampetiwa placed an advert in a local newspaper in which they claimed they were traditionalists from Malawi capable of bringing back lost lovers, boosting business and healing complex ailments. 

The complainant responded and contacted the pair  accomplice, Joseph Kaunda, who is on the run. Kaunda requested to meet the woman at Park Town shops in Waterfalls. It is alleged that the woman and Kaunda proceeded to a house near the shopping centre where she was introduced to Kalumbi and Namampetiwa. 

The woman said she wanted her boyfriend back following a separation. The trio demanded $50 as consultation fees.

They advised the woman to return the following day after lying they wanted to first consult their ancestral spirits over night. They allegedly demanded $1 200 and two goats which they needed to cast into a flowing river as part of winning the man’s love back. 

They went to Manyame River along Harare-Masvingo road where she remained in the car while the trio went to the river to allegedly cast the money and goats into the river. After two weeks the trio demanded four beasts to complete the process. 

The cattle, valued at $1 200, were to be burnt and the ashes thrown into the river. After realising that the complainant was easy prey, the trio allegedly lured her into a business to supply anointing oil to Prophet Walter Magaya. 

The complainant allegedly gave $30 000 to the trio who claimed to have contributed the same amount. They then disappeared for two weeks.  

Their mobile phones were no longer available. She accidentally spotted them this September, leading to their arrest. She lost $32 550 and nothing was recovered. The suspects were remanded in custody to tomorrow for bail application. Herald