Daily Sun (11 September 2015) - ON SUNDAYS he would stand in front of the congregation and deliver a powerful message.
During the week he would borrow people’s money and tell them he would pay them back.
BUT HE DIDN’T TELL THEM HE WOULD SOON BE GONE – TAKING THEIR BELONGINGS WITH HIM!
Many church-goers from Batho in Bloemfontein, Free State have allegedly been cheated by this man’s charming and convincing ways.
He allegedly opened a number of churches in Bloemfontein and defrauded about six different church members. Then he would disappear for a few months. According to the victims, the fake pastor would borrow money but never give it back.
Then he would suddenly stop going to church. “I trusted him as he was so well-spoken, standing in front of the church, but it was all just one of his tricks,” said Pulina Ntoi. “He came to my house and borrowed money. He said he wanted to renovate his house. “He said he came from Namibia with his family and was originally from Orkney.”
Pulina said they never had a chance to go to his house. “He only came to the church for five months before disappearing after he got the money,” she said. “We tried to open a case with the cops but we were advised to go to the small claims court because we had given him the money willingly.”
Pulina had bought a new car and her old Fiat Palio was just standing in the garage. “The man asked if he could borrow it for a while. I agreed but that was a big mistake,” she said. “Whenever I call him he tells me he is busy. “I even told him just to park the car and I will collect it but he doesn’t do that either. “ Now his phone is off and I can’t speak to him at all.”
Cops are looking for Ben Saliwe, whom they believe can help them solve a theft case. Police spokeswoman Constable Joy Xaba said a case of theft has been opened against the pastor. “It is alleged he used to be a taxi helper where he grew up in Orkney,” said Xaba. “He also defrauded several pastors of undisclosed amounts of cash but because there was no written contract as to when he would pay back the money, no case was opened.
“We are appealing to the community to help us trace the man.” Xaba said anyone with information should go to the nearest police station or contact Heidedal Police Station on051 409 7212/13.”
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