The Musina SAPS's crime prevention unit arrested seven suspects who are alleged to be involved in a syndicate of maguma-guma (con men) who steal money and other people's belongings under false pretences.

The arrest of the seven, four women and three men, who are all Zimbabwean, took place on 2 November within Musina town. The suspects allegedly confessed to their criminal deeds to the crime prevention unit, when they were stopped for questioning in town.

The suspects are Florence Dorope (29), Tariro Kagura (27), Loveness Chido (35), Tendai Makandwa (22), Obvious Rutsava (24), Jimmy Nyavedzamai (26) and James Nyavedzamai (29).

According to information made available to Limpopo Mirror, the group of maguma-guma wait for unsuspecting targets in front of shops and garages with the intention to rob them. They act as people who are ready to assist and they particularly choose Zimbabweans who come to South Africa to buy things.

Musina police spokesperson Lt Peter Mudau says that the maguma-guma normally speak to the target in a polite manner, so that the victim will understand and accept that they are being offered true assistance. “The suspects wrap a stone as if it is a diamond and sell it to the foreigners,” said Lt Mudau. “They tell the victim that he or she must not look at it in their presence because the police will arrive and arrest all of them.” Mudau adds that these people also pretend to exchange money. They accept money from the victim and give back wrapped paper in return.

During their arrest, the suspects were found with a large amount of cash in their possession. “At least R2 700 and 3 million Zimbabwean dollars were found in their possession,” Lt Mudau said. “We suspect that the suspects had accumulated this huge amount of money by robbing foreigners."