A SELF-STYLED PROPHET who once duped her congregant has struck again as she appeared in court for duping another unsuspecting congregant of US$800.
Pretty Gertrude Nyoni (45) appeared before Western Commonage Court magistrate Lenear Khumalo facing a fraud charge. She pleaded not guilty to the charge.
She was remanded in custody to 6 June for trial.
Allegations against Nyoni are that after a church service in Lobengula West suburb, she approached her churchmate Ree Mashanda and told her that she wanted to bless her with a car.
Nyoni told Mashanda that she needed to pay US$800 for duty at the Beitbridge Border Post. Upon hearing the good news Mashanda looked for US$800 and gave her.
After that, she disappeared and her phone was no longer reachable.
She then reported the incident to the police leading to Nyoni’s arrest.
This comes after the con prophet duped her congregant Khulisani Moyo of $1 700 at her church shrine in Donnington in January. At the time she was going by the name Sidelile Masera Moyo (43).
Moyo approached Sidelile and told her that he had been failing to sell his car and she prayed for him. Within a few days Moyo’s car was bought for US$2 200 and he returned to her and shared the good news with her.
The cunning Sidelile told him to wrap the money in white and black pieces of cloth and bring it back for prayers.
Moyo complied. She duped her of US$1 700 and remained with US$500.
Moyo reported her to the police leading to her arrest and subsequent conviction and sentencing.
She was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, three months were suspended on condition that she does not commit a similar offence within a period of five years.
Another four months were suspended on condition that she restitutes Khulisani US$1 700.
The remaining five months were suspended on condition that she performs 175 hours of community service.
— BMetro
