A Gauteng mother in her 50s is battling the memory of the man who became her lover for about a year before he disappeared with her pension lump sum of R2.8 million. The woman, Nothando, opened a case at Pretoria North SA Police Service (SAPS), which has been confirmed by Gauteng police.
Nothando met Henry Mugisha, who introduced himself as a charming man who introduced himself as Henry. In her mind, it was a chance meeting after Mugisha came to her workplace in January 2023. He insisted he was looking for a place for his son, but in hindsight, Nothando believes it was all an act.
During the year they dated, from January 2023 until January 2024 when she realized that she had been scammed, Nothando never got to meet or see the purported son. SAPS in Gauteng requests the man or community members to share information on his whereabouts, as he must assist in an ongoing investigation.
As the love blossomed, Mugisha soon dangled an idea of undertaking a business venture, and Nothando swallowed the idea, hook, line and sinker. In hindsight, Nothando believes Mugisha was doing all the right things to sweep her off her feet, blinding her from the ongoing scam in the name of love.
The first date was March 12, 2023, at Baobab restaurant, Wonderboom Junction, in Pretoria. The couple had a beautiful time together, and Mugisha ensured they bought take-aways for their boys. When Nothando was home, he would enquire about her son's wellbeing. What endeared him more to her was when he declared that he was not wealthy and did not have much. In fact, he was driving an old Volkswagen Polo Vivo, which sometimes would break down and be taken to street mechanics.
SAPS in Gauteng requests the man or community members to come forward or share information on his whereabouts, as he must assist in an ongoing investigation.
As the relationship strengthened, the unsuspecting woman was persuaded to resign from her government work to get her pension lump sum, which would ostensibly be invested into a business venture. Part of the scam involved Nothando having to withdraw her pension lump sum to take it to the “ancestors” for a blessing.
Mugisha also undertook to raise his millions to invest in the business venture. Nothando proposed that the couple venture into the student accommodation business, which is booming across Gauteng, and Mugisha was open to the idea. The couple agreed to pool their funds, with Mugisha promising to bring in more money than the almost R3 million Nothando had.
In January this year, Mugisha urged Nothando to visit her rural home to seek ancestral blessings. Then, he vanished. Nothando drove to his place hoping to find him home, but it was around 5.30pm, and the house lights were not on. She told herself he was out, but the whole night on January 24, Nothando was frantically trying to call Mugisha, but his phone was going to voicemail.
A South African woman, Nothando, was stranded in her home after being scammed by her ex-boyfriend Mugisha. She had been trying to find him but was unsuccessful. She researched mental health and depression online and decided to commit suicide to protect her family. Instead of enjoying her retirement, she was left stranded, suffering from weight loss and unable to eat or drink anything.
Nothando shared advice for those in love relationships, advising them to be vigilant and not be afraid to fall in love too soon. She informed me not to be scared to fall in love but to be wary of someone who confesses being in love too soon and wants to introduce their family to you.
A private investigator was hired to track Mugisha down, but with little success. After disappearing from her, the alleged scammer remains active on social media platforms and even showed off a luxurious Mercedes Benz. After two weeks, he posted a new Mercedes Benz on his TikTok page: pemba233.
The IOL approached the SAPS in Gauteng, and Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed an investigation was under way. Police believe the man in the pictures could assist in the ongoing investigation. Community members who can identify the man are encouraged to notify the nearest police station.
Nothando argues that police should act against a South African woman who opened a bank account on behalf of Mugisha. She believes that if she can trace the bank account owner and confesses to opening it for her foreign boyfriend, the police cannot do much more, as it shows they are not interested in doing their job.
