A 40-year-old man who falsely presented himself as both a pastor and traditional healer has been arrested for allegedly defrauding his grandmother-in-law, a cancer patient, under the pretext of performing spiritual healing rituals.
The suspect was apprehended on Monday at his home in Okandjengedi, Oshakati, following an incident that occurred between 26 and 27 September at Onheleiwa village in the Oshana Region. Oshana Police Deputy Commissioner Fredrick Ndjadila confirmed the arrest.
According to the police, the suspect had been introduced to the victim by his girlfriend, who is also the granddaughter of the ailing woman. During the arrest, officers discovered various items suspected to be stolen, including four black solar batteries (100Ah each), a white HP computer monitor, a solar charge controller, a solar inverter, and a large black bag. A live tortoise was also found in his possession. The seized property is valued at approximately N$22,600, and the tortoise has since been handed over to officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.
Investigations further revealed that the suspect alternated between claiming to be a pastor and a traditional healer, although no evidence of any church affiliation was found.
A family member recounted to Local News Outlet that the ordeal began when the suspect was invited to pray for the elderly woman, who is currently battling cancer and had undergone breast removal surgery. He arrived at the homestead accompanied by his girlfriend and four other men, including a driver.
“It was already evening when he ordered our grandmother to leave her bedroom and started digging holes inside,” the granddaughter explained. “They even moved the bed outside.”
The suspect allegedly demanded two goats be slaughtered for a ritual to “remove demons” from the bedroom. When the grandmother initially refused, citing she had few goats left, he persisted until she reluctantly agreed. The goats were slaughtered, and their blood was poured into the holes inside the bedroom as part of the ritual.
That night, the grandmother gave the driver N$200 for fuel before the group left, taking the slaughtered goats with them. The following day, the suspect returned to place two bottles of water in the room, claiming it was part of the cleansing process.
He also claimed to have found a tortoise under the elderly woman’s bed, though police suspect he might have planted it himself to strengthen his deception. His subsequent demands, including 40 chairs, 20 iron congregational rods, and N$3,000, alarmed family members, who then reported him to the authorities.
The victim is currently hospitalised and receiving treatment after suffering severe shock from the ordeal.
Police investigations are ongoing, and the suspect remains in custody pending further charges.
