A self-proclaimed Sangoma from Harare was robbed at gunpoint by men pretending to be the police on Friday.
Shelton Maliamba, a 22-year-old who practices as a sangoma in Pfugari Complex, Whitehouse, was visited by robbers at his shrine.
They claimed to be clients on arrival seeking help from the traditional healer.
One of the robbers claimed he needed help as a client to collect money he claimed was owed from selling his pig. He requested privacy, and Maliamba made his other waiting clients go outside during consultation with the man in question.
The man asked Maliamba if he had a ZINATHA license and pulled a pistol at Shelton, saying he was under arrest for operating without a license. He produced an identity card saying he was a policeman while two more people entered the shrine and claimed they were also the police working with the first man.
The three ordered Maliamba to get into a vehicle while pointing a gun at him, and he complied. In the car, they took Maliamba’s cell phone and bank cards, which they used to request his balance.
They drove him to Southerton, where they forced him to withdraw $1 600 before going to Matombo Area to collect $500, then dumped him at Whitehouse.
Hararare acting provincial spokesperson Assistant Inspector Faith Mapisa confirmed with H metro that the case was under investigation.
She told the publication that:
‘Police are investigating an armed robbery case involving a self-styled sangoma from Whitehouse.’
The statement stated that the robbery occurred on the 5th of January 2024 around 9 a.m.
Source iharare
