A SELF-STYLED Harare prophet who was tricked by StarFM radio presenter Tilda Moyo and made to appear on her talkshow together with his alleged rape victims, was yesterday acquitted on four of the six counts of rape levelled against him.
BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE
Onbert Mapfumo (39), was, however, put to his defence on the remaining two counts when he appeared before regional magistrate Hosea Mujaya.
During trial, Mapfumo denied raping his congregants, saying they had consented to his sexual advances.
The matter was then remanded to today for closure of submissions by both the State and the defence. Mapfumo, who is being represented by Jonathan Madotsa, is on $100 bail.
The State alleges that sometime last year, Mapfumo, on various occasions, separately summoned three female congregants to his prayer room for spiritual cleansing at his Southlea house and raped them.
The State alleges Mapfumo would undress each of the women and sprinkle cooking oil over their bodies before raping them.
George Manokore appeared for the State.
