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Sangoma vandalises prophet’s shrine

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A traditional healer based in Chitungwiza has been jailed for storming a shrine belonging to Jordan Apostolic Church prophet and destroying property

A traditional healer based in Chitungwiza has been jailed for storming a shrine belonging to Jordan Apostolic Church prophet and destroying property worth $700, claiming that the garments at the shrine were stopping the rains from falling.

VIMBAI MARUFU OWN CORRESPONDENT

Innocent Mushangwe (40) and his two assistants Webster Shoriwa (23), Itai Lobengula (27) were charged with malicious damage to property when they appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Musaiona Shotgame on Wednesday.

The suspects, who all stay in Zengeza 5 Extension, were sentenced to two months in prison which was wholly suspended on condition that they each paid $230 to the complainant Fungai Mukundu.

Prosecutor Wilson Matsika told the court that on January 7 this year, Mushangwe and his accomplices stormed Mukundu’s shrine near Chitungwiza’s Tilco industrial area holding some material that they used in their traditional healing sessions and disrupted proceedings at the shrine.

In the ensuing melee, Mushangwe produced a knobkerrie and attempted to strike Mukundu accusing him of casting a dry spell in the area.

The court heard that Mushangwe went on to untie the garments that were at the shrine and tore them and later destroyed the poles that hoisted the garments as his assistants smashed Mukundu’s clay pots.

Mushangwe then set the material on fire.

Mukundu reported the matter to police, leading to the trio’s arrest.