Two individuals, identified as Yiga Siraje Lubega, 27, and Rhoda Betsey Mirembe, 32, find themselves in custody after a recent appearance at the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court.
This legal action follows their apprehension earlier this week. Their alleged crime involves collaborating to scam a 39-year-old woman from the Limpopo province, who reportedly lost over 600,000 rands (26 million naira) as a result of her romantic involvement with Lubega.
Yiga Siraje Lubega and Rhoda Betsey Mirembe, who claim to be from Uganda in East Africa, are now subjects of investigation by law enforcement agencies in South Africa. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, disclosed that the encounter between Lubega and the Limpopo woman occurred in September. At that time, Lubega, driving a white Mercedes-Benz, initiated a connection with the 39-year-old woman, leading to the commencement of their romantic relationship.
“While enjoying the new love, the victim (the Limpopo woman) told the suspect (Lubega) about her personal problems, and the suspect promised to hook her up with the spiritual healer, a ‘prophetess’, who was going to cast away all her problems,” Hawks spokesperson in Limpopo, Lieutenant Colonel Matimba Maluleke, said.
The 39-year-old woman alleges that she was introduced to the so-called prophetess, who told her she was going to assist in getting rid of the problems.
“According to the victim, they engaged in prayers with the suspect (Lubega) and the ‘prophetess’ for about a week,” said Maluleke.
“In one of the prayer sessions, the prophetess (Mirembe) came driving a BMW X6, carrying R4 million (N172 million) in hard cash in a bag. The victim was told the money was hers, from her ancestors, but she had to pay 10 percent of the total amount in order to get it.”
As the 39-year-old Limpopo woman did not have money, she went to the bank and applied for a loan of R650,000 (N30 million), and she gave it to the “prophetess”.
After a while, the woman tried to contact her boyfriend, Lubega, and the prophetess, Mirembe, but they were no longer reachable.
“While the victim was still confused, she allegedly received a call from a property rental agent in Polokwane, enquiring about the luxury house she rented at a place called Woodhill Estate in Polokwane,” said Maluleke.
The 39-year-old woman insists she has never rented such a place. She then discovered that her particulars were fraudulently used in the transaction, and she reported the matter to the Hawks.
“On November 27, members of the Hawks visited the address at Woodhill Estate and found two vehicles, the white Mercedes-Benz and the BMW X6, parked in the garage that was wide open. Unfortunately, nobody was found inside the house, but the vehicles were seized as they were previously used by the suspect and the accomplice when they met with the victim,” said Maluleke.
On December 12, Maluleke said information was received that another Mercedes-Benz vehicle that was used by Lubega had been spotted in Potchefstroom, in neighbouring North West province.
“Through proper coordination, the vehicle was followed, and the suspect, together with his accomplice, were arrested,” the Hawks said.
When Lubega and Mirembe appeared in court on Thursday, they were remanded in custody until Monday next week for a formal bail application.
