×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Goblin con ‘prophet’ implicates bus operator

News
A SUSPECTED fake Binga prophet, who allegedly extorted $20 from a CAG bus using a live tortoise which he claimed to be a goblin, yesterday sensationally claimed the creature belonged to the bus operator, Afra Nhanhanga. BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE Isaac Nkalakatha, who is represented by Bothwell Ndhlovu, made the claim when he appeared before magistrate […]

A SUSPECTED fake Binga prophet, who allegedly extorted $20 from a CAG bus using a live tortoise which he claimed to be a goblin, yesterday sensationally claimed the creature belonged to the bus operator, Afra Nhanhanga.

BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE

Isaac Nkalakatha, who is represented by Bothwell Ndhlovu, made the claim when he appeared before magistrate Eric Kadye facing allegations of extortion and illegal possession of a tortoise.

Nkalakatha denied police claims that he was found in possession of a bag which contained the tortoise, adding the bag and “goblin” belonged to Nhanhanga.

However, Nhanhanga denied owning the tortoise, saying she has been in the transport business for close to 20 years and would not possess a goblin as she was a Christian. She added that Nkalakatha refused to leave the bag at her workplace fearing that his extortion antics would be exposed.

Magistrate Kadye remanded the matter to today for trial continuation.

It is the State’s case that on February 24 this year, Nkalakatha kept calling Nhanhanga advising her that there were some goblins on her bus, which would cause a fatal crash.

When the bus safely arrived in Harare, Nhanhanga allegedly paid him $20 as a token of appreciation for “praying” to avoid the accident.

Nkalakatha’s luck ran out after he tried to use the same trick to other bus crew members, leading to his arrest. Bigboy Chikadaga appeared for the State.