A MAZVIHWA family in Zvishavane district was duped by a self-styled prophet, who told them to strip naked and bathe while he stole their money, after they had sought spiritual cleansing from him.
ALLIEWAY NYONI OWN CORRESPONDENT
Paul Dzibakwi (59) of Farm Number 2 under Chief Mazvihwa and his family were left stark naked by Charles Charumbira (38), who commanded them to strip naked and bathe with water stored in a tree trunk to cleanse themselves from being allegedly haunted by a snake and a goblin.
While Dzibakwi’s family was following the “prophet’s” commands, Charumbira stole their money before vanishing.
Charumbira pleaded guilty to fraud and indecency charges when he appeared before Zvishavane magistrate Peter Madiba yesterday and was remanded in custody to September 9.
According to the State’s case, on August 19, Charumbira approached Dzibakwi at his homestead and asked for water from a tree trunk.
Dzibakwe went into a nearby bush and brought the water. Charumbira then asked him to gather all his family members for a prayer session.
Charumbira allegedly faked falling into a trance and started “prophesying”, saying he had been shown that there was a big snake and a goblin causing problems within the family.
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He offered to help “capture” the snake and goblin for free.
Charumbira asked for a white cloth and ordered the family to bring all the money into the hut he was working from for cleansing.
He then used a razor blade to cut small pieces from the corners of all notes that were surrendered to him amounting to $210. He then tied the notes on Dzibakwe’s trousers.
Charumbira commanded the family to go to a nearby river where he asked them to strip and wash themselves using the water from the tree truck.
When the women finished bathing, Charumbira commanded them to go home and witness the snake dying in their yard.
When all the women left, Charumbira ordered Dzibakwe and his son to go and throw stones at a road junction while naked.
Charumbira remained behind and stole all the money and replaced it with papers before fleeing.
When Dzibakwe and his son returned, they found Charumbira gone and he checked for his money, but found mere worthless paper.
A few days later, Dzibakwe bumped unto Charumbira at Machipisa shopping centre and dragged him to the police where he confessed to stealing the money by masquerading as a prophet.
