HARARE – PROPERTY Handle Africa CEO Rangariral Fariro Chrystal Mushonga lost $100,000 to a self-styled spiritual healer in a “get-rich-quick” scheme, a Harare court heard over the weekend.
The court was told that Mushonga was introduced to the suspect, Modesta Simakani of Kadoma, in 2022 by her sister-in-law.
Prosecutors allege that Simakani presented herself as a spiritual healer and claimed Mushonga was under the influence of a spirit preventing her from becoming wealthy.
The State said Simakani used her “spiritual expertise” to manipulate Mushonga into believing she needed to surrender her earnings for spiritual cleansing.
Between September 2022 and January this year, Mushonga allegedly paid $100,000 through Mukuru mobile money transfer, Innbucks and EcoCash under Simakani’s guidance.
She was made to believe the financial sacrifices were necessary for her spiritual well-being and future prosperity.
When Mushonga followed up on her money after it had been “cleansed,” Simakani became evasive and unreachable, the court heard.
Realizing she had been defrauded, Mushonga filed a police report.
No money has been recovered.
