adminTapfuma Shava (30), of 12204 Nkulumane 10 and Tafara Shava (30), of 10757 Nkulumane 10, yesterday pleaded guilty to fraud before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Mr Richard Ramaboea.
The two, whose relationship was not explained in court, were each sentenced to three months in prison of which one month was suspended on condition that they pay full restitution to the complainants.
The remaining two months were suspended on condition that they each perform 70 hours of community service.
Mr Tatenda Dakwa, for the State said on 23 September this year, Ms Thenjiwe Ndlovu approached the pair seeking a prayer.
They instructed her to bring a white cloth and $50 so that they could pray for the money. They wrapped the $50 in the white cloth and told Ms Ndlovu to untie the cloth after 21 days and thereafter use the money.
Within that period, Ms Ndlovu’s husband fell ill and needed to go to hospital but they had no money.
She decided to use the money that had been “prayed” for and when she untied the cloth, there was no money and she made a report to the police.
On 23 September again, Ms Sihliselo Ncube, who wanted to locate her father, went to the prophets for prayers.
They told her that they could help her and asked her to bring $20, a big speaker and two T-shirts.
The $20 note was wrapped in a white cloth and put in a plastic bag.
They told her to open the plastic bag after four weeks. When she opened the plastic bag and unwrapped the cloth she was shocked to find that there was no money.
Online Reporter