In a bizarre incident that sounds straight out of a movie, a Form Four schoolboy from Lobengula West suburb in Bulawayo allegedly stole R1,000 and US$230 from his parents to pay his “godfather” in Ghana for umuthi to accumulate wealth. Teen steals money for wealth ritual.
The 16-year-old boy, whose name is withheld, sought the services of his godfather out of desperation for riches. He even sent a picture of his best friend to cast a spell on him, following instructions to buy candles and light them, with the claim that his friend would die once the candles burned out. However, police have cautioned that the boy might have fallen victim to a scam.
Scam
The boy’s parents and the alleged victim’s family confirmed the incident, shocking residents. The boy’s mother explained how it all began.
“My child is in Form Four and is part of the school WhatsApp group. He saw a link in the group and joined it. The group admin asked if he wanted to accumulate wealth, win the lottery, or gain fame, and my child chose to amass money,” she said.
She added that the “godfather” demanded a fee for umuthi to help him make quick money. “After that, my child stole R1,000 and US$230 and sent it to his godfather in Ghana,” she stated.
The mother detailed that the godfather instructed her son to buy candles, promising to give him a date to burn them. “He told him to arrange the candles in a line and light them until they burned out. When that happened, his best friend would collapse and die,” said a source.
Upon discovering the missing money, the boy’s mother reported the theft at Magwegwe Police Station. “I reported the theft to the police, and my child revealed that he stole the money and sent it to a man in Ghana for umuthi to get rich,” she said.
Kuromba
Afterward, the boy received a video from the godfather showing the picture of the intended sacrifice. B-Metro has obtained the video, which depicts the perpetrator and the victim, with the godfather declaring, “this is the money” while displaying bundles of brand new US$100 notes.
The mother of the intended sacrifice expressed concern: “We heard that a man from Ghana asked my child’s best friend to send a picture of his best friend, and he did so in hopes of becoming rich. We do not know if it was a sacrifice or a scam.”
B-Metro also joined the group linked to the incident, with the reporter introducing himself to the so-called “godfather,” who read the message but did not respond. Several attempts to contact him by phone were unsuccessful.
Bulawayo Police Spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident, urging the public to be cautious. “We confirm the incident and urge members of the public not to entertain anyone they encounter on social media, as they might fall prey to scammers,” he said. Teen steals money for wealth ritual.
