A DESPERATE parent in Honeydew, west of Johannesburg, was swindled of R2.5-million by a so-called traditional healer.

The father, who refused to be identified, has a child who suffers from a life-threatening illness and was referred to the traditional healer who uses a 10m python to "heal" people.

"The parent claims that he was charged R4.5-million for the treatment of his sick child. Up until Friday, the parent claimed that he had already parted with a total of R2.5-million - paid in two installments of R1.1m and R1.4m earlier this year," said Metro police spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kasago.

The parent contacted law enforcement agencies when he suspected he was being conned as his child's condition was deteriorating, and the traditional healer still wanted him to pay the balance of R2-million.

Kgasago said it was not known how the payments were made, either in cash or electronic funds transfer. "When we searched the house [where the suspects stayed] we did not find any large amounts of money. So the money is still missing," Kgasago said.

The Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department community liaison unit as well as the police organised crime unit worked together to investigate and arrest the traditional healer.

Three Ugandan nationals, a 44-year-old man (the traditional healer) and his two female assistants aged 25 and 30 were arrested. The 10m python was also confiscated and taken by the SPCA.

The three will appear in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court today to face charges of theft under false pretences as well as the contravention of the Animals Act.