Man duped by 'magicians'

2009-08-14 22:04

Pietermaritzburg - Two Ugandans allegedly defrauded a Camperdown man of R60 000 after convincing him they had the powers to multiply his money by "washing" it in a river, the KwaZulu-Natal High Court heard on Friday.

Edward Borgere, 34, and Unam Semakule, 36, allegedly told the victim they could turn his money into millions by washing it, praying on a mountain and sacrificing a goat.

The pair were arrested after the anticipated riches did not materialise in two weeks - the time period the victim was given for the "magic" to work.

The man laid a trap for them by offering them an additional R6 000 to take to the spot where they had "washed" the R60 000.

Borgere and Semakule were initially refused bail at the Camperdown Magistrate's Court but the decision was overturned by the KwaZulu-Natal High Court.

Judge Piet Koen granted Borgere bail of R3 000 and Semakule R2 000 on Friday when it emerged that they had South African wives with whom they each have a child.

- SAPA