Written by
Jonisayi Maromo
Yiga Siraje Lubega and Rhoda Betsey Mirembe have been remanded in custody after allegedly scamming a 39-year-old Limpopo woman out of R650,000 while Lubega was dating her. The pair, a 27-year-old suspected romance scammer and a 32-year-old alleged accomplice, appeared in the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court following their arrest in December.
The Limpopo regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, confirmed that the duo has been in custody since their arrest last year, having been denied bail. Their case has garnered attention, particularly as the woman’s identity is being protected.
Reports indicate that Lubega met the victim in September 2023 while driving a white Mercedes-Benz in Polokwane. Their romantic relationship quickly developed, during which Lubega assured the victim he could connect her with a “spiritual healer” to resolve her personal issues. This healer turned out to be Mirembe, who promised to help the woman.
The victim engaged in prayers with Lubega and Mirembe for about a week, during which Mirembe drove up in a BMW X6, claiming to have R4 million cash from the woman’s ancestors. However, to access this money, the victim was told she needed to pay 10 percent, which led her to take out a loan of R650,000.
After handing over the money to Mirembe, the victim found herself unable to contact either Lubega or Mirembe. Confusion set in when a property rental agent contacted her regarding a luxury home in Polokwane, which she had never rented. Investigating further, she discovered that her identity had been fraudulently used in the transaction.
On November 27, the Hawks investigated the property and discovered the vehicles used by the suspects parked there, but no one was home. The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Lubega and Mirembe in December after another vehicle was spotted in Potchefstroom.
This case adds to a troubling trend of romance scams affecting many South African women, with some left destitute and others facing severe emotional distress. The Hawks continue to investigate, emphasizing the growing concern surrounding these types of fraud.
