By Simbarashe Sithole

A 47-YEAR-OLD self-proclaimed Harare prophet was yesterday slapped with an 18-year jail term by a Bindura magistrate for raping a 15-year-old girl.

Zanda Mupandi (47) of Beatrice was convicted by magistrate Gloria Takunda after full trial.

The magistrate suspended four years of the sentence on condition of good behaviour.

Prosecutor Gossy Mudambu told the court that sometime in July last year, the rapist was hired by a congregant for some healing sessions at her home in Chigwida village, Chiweshe.

While at the homestead, Mupandi proposed love to the congregant’s 15-year-old sister, who turned him down.

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The self-proclaimed prophet subsequently told the complainant’s sister that he wanted to marry the girl, but was again rebuffed.

In August, the girl’s sister told the victim that she could no longer take care of her and the only option was to accompany her to Mupandi’s homestead who wanted to marry her.

Mupandi had unprotected sex numerous times with the minor without her consent.