INYANGA, MAN HELD FOR FRAUD USING BLACK MAGIC

MANZINI - A traditional healer has been arrested in connection with a disturbing scheme involving black magic and cybercrime to defraud numerous people.

The inyanga, Vusumuzi Mfanimpela Bhembe (43) and his 31-year-old accomplice, Sabelo Banele Dlamini, both of Timbutini, face a total of 120 charges. They are alleged to have, among other things, threatened to bewitch their victims unless they paid various sums of money. These include the contravention of the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011, the Computer Crime and Cybercrime Act of 2022 and theft by false pretences.

Reports suggest that Bhembe, using his position as a traditional healer, would contact victims and threaten them with imminent harm unless they paid him large sums of money.It is alleged that the victims, fearing for their lives, would give in and pay what was described as a ‘redemption fee’ to avert the supposed danger.Sources close to the matter have revealed that Bhembe typically instructed victims to transfer substantial amounts of money to ‘redeem’ themselves from the supposed threats.

One source commented: "The arrest of the kingpin is a major breakthrough for the police." It is also claimed that Bhembe, along with his accomplices, was involved in the ‘facata’ scams, which have been making headlines in recent weeks. The ‘facata’ scams, which involve tricking people into parting with their money through various deceptive means, allegedly continued even after the arrest of two other masterminds a week ago.

"Since the arrest of the other ‘facata’ scams suspects, Bhembe and his associates have continued to exploit emaSwati. They have used a variety of methods to defraud the public, including promising jobs and threatening to bewitch their victims if they did not comply," sources explained. In addition to using black magic as a form of extortion, Bhembe and Dlamini are said to have engaged in cybercrime, impersonating bank employees or police officers in order to gain their victims' trust and steal personal information.

According to the charge sheet, the duo is alleged to have defrauded different people money ranging from E19 000 to E15 000. The criminal activities are believed to have taken place between January and November of this year. Both Bhembe and Dlamini made their first court appearance before Manzini Magistrate Thamsanqa Ndlovu on Friday.They were remanded in custody pending their committal to the High Court. The pair informed the court that they will engage an attorney to represent them.

One of the most shocking charges relate to an alleged incident where Bhembe and Dlamini coerced a victim into paying E11 000, claiming they had been instructed to kill the individual unless he paid them. The scale of the fraud in Eswatini has been staggering, with losses amounting to a staggering E398 799 405.49. This figure was disclosed by National Commissioner of Police (NATCOM) Vusi Manoma Masango during the launch of the 2024 Fraud Awareness Campaign. The commissioner revealed that the fraudulent activities had taken place between November 2023 and October 2024.

Masango also highlighted the impact on the banking industry, with nine cases involving bank fraud resulting in losses exceeding E7 million.In addition, four new ‘facata’ scam cases have been reported, bringing the total losses from this scam alone to over E3 million. Despite the significant losses, the commissioner expressed hope that all perpetrators would soon be brought to justice. A concerning trend has also emerged in the Manzini Region, where a group of unemployed youths are allegedly targeting unsuspecting victims, tricking them into revealing personal information through fraudulent means.

Beyond the ‘facata’ scams, Eswatini is grappling with a broader spectrum of fraud-related crimes. From November 2023 to October 2024, a total of 576 fraud cases were reported, leading to losses exceeding E398 million.Manzini has emerged as the region most affected by these crimes, with 95 cases reported. Notably, Dlamini is the second inyanga to be arrested in connection with these fraud cases, following the arrest of Bongiwe Dlamini, who is currently out on bail. So far, at least 34 individuals have been arrested in connection with the ‘facata’ scams, with suspects coming from areas such as Mpaka, Malindza, Thulwane and Siteki.

The scammers trick their victims into entering personal information on their phones, which allowed them to steal money from the victims' Mobile Money (MoMo) and bank accounts. The list of accused individuals includes Lindelwa FanaMbingo (19) of Thulwane, Celumusa MdumseniMsibi (27) of Sithobelweni, Nhlanhla Maseko (21) of Thulwane, Wakhile Felix Mtsetfwa (19) of Thulwane, Sandile Wandile Matsenjwa (30) of KaBhudla, Wakhile Sanele Mamba (19) of Thulwane, Sipho Neliswa Mbingo (21) of Thulwane, Nkosikhona Fisokuhle Maziya (24) of KaBhudla, Siyabonga Sakhile Ndlovu (22) of KaBhudla, Gcina Ndlovu (21) of KaBhudla, and Mbongeni Bongani Maphalala (22).

Recently, the REPS issued a warning to members of micro-co-operatives known as stokvels, urging them to exercise caution as the festive season approached.The publication reported that Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, the Chief Police Information and Communications Officer (PICO), had said that with the festive season drawing near and stokvels preparing to distribute savings, extra caution is required.

She advised against carrying large amounts of cash and recommended that people seek assistance from the police station when necessary. Vilakati also warned the public to be cautious and avoid sending money to accounts that had not been verified. She added that, when making purchases, it was important to double-check that the correct account was being used.

Some of the charges

-        It alleged that  in August to November 2024, they unlawfully  perform an remotely obtained banking details of  John Mweli and in the process a unlawfully withdrew a sum of E19 000 from his bank account

-        They are also accused of having using the same modus operandi stole a sum of E10 O17   from the bank account of Mfanzile Nzima

-        The accused as per the charge sheet using the same method, are alleged to have stolen a sum of E3 217  from the bank account of Dumezweni Kunene

-        It is further alleged that  from September  to November 2024, they unlawfully withdrew a sum of E6 500 from the bank account of Matoko Lukhele

-        They further stand accused of stealing a sum of E981  from the bank account of Bhekithemba Vilakati

-        In August to November 2024, the accused persons are alleged to have unlawfully withdrew a sum of E10 617 belonging to Mcondzisi Mavimbela

-        As per the charge sheet, between the months of August to November 2024, the accused persons unlawfully withdrew as sum of E1 377 from a bank account belonging to Nonhlanhla Zondo.

-        It also alleged that during the month of October 2024,the withdrew a sum of E488 belonging to Zanele Dlamini

-        It is alleged that in the month of September 2024, they unlawfully obtained a sum of E4 817 from Lucky Simelane for the benefit of their criminal gang.

-        They are also accused of having stolen a sum of E15 000   from Bongiwe Maureen Mango.

-        The accused as per the charge sheet using the same method, are alleged to have stolen a sum of E19 740  from the bank account of John Mweli

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