×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Rapist prophet abducts State witness

News
Convicted Budiriro self-styled prophet, who is on bail pending appeal on his 24-year imprisonment sentence for raping a female congregant at his shrine in 2016, is on the run after allegedly kidnapping a State witness and wrapping him in fishing net tied to a 43kg stone before throwing him into Southlea Park Dam.

Convicted Budiriro self-styled prophet, who is on bail pending appeal on his 24-year imprisonment sentence for raping a female congregant at his shrine in 2016, is on the run after allegedly kidnapping a State witness and wrapping him in fishing net tied to a 43kg stone before throwing him into Southlea Park Dam.

BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE

Hebert Senda (35) was summoned to appear at Mbare Magistrates’ Courts on August 17 before magistrate Stan Mambanje for trial, but failed to pitch up.

Senda, who was convicted on April 3 this year by magistrate Hosea Mujaya, hunted down the State witness Blessing Chimbodza in his rape case after he was granted bail pending appeal.

Allegations are that on June 15 this year at around 2am, Chimbodza was at his place of residence in Waterfalls when Senda arrived together with his two accomplices, Ishamel Mahachi and another who is not known and still at large.

It is alleged that upon arrival, the trio misrepresented to Chimbodza that it was Wellington Kadzutu, his friend. Chimbodza allegedly opened the door and saw the accused persons.

The trio, who were armed with a knife and an axe, kidnapped Chimbodza and threatened him. It is alleged they blindfolded him with a cloth, kidnapped and drove him to Southlea Park Dam.

Upon arrival at the dam, the trio disembarked and tied the complainant’s hands and legs together. They allegedly wrapped him in a fishing net and tied a 43kg stone to the fishing net and threw him into the dam in a bid to drown him.

Chimbodza was later rescued by passers-by Ophias Mhembere and Reswuance Chaitezvi.

The two escorted him to the police station to make a report. Chimbodza was then referred to Harare Central Hospital for medical examination and a medical affidavit will be produced in court.