HARARE, June 18 (NewsDay Live) - A self-styled prophet from Gweru has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for raping a congregant who had visited his shrine in Mkoba 4 for spiritual cleansing.
In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe said the offender claimed the 22-year-old victim was being followed by an evil spirit which chased away his potential suitors, hence needed divine cleansing.
He told her the only way to banish the spirit was to accompany him to a nearby bush for a "cleansing" prayer involving fire.
The victim accompanied the offender to a secluded bush area behind Mkoba Cemetery for cleansing.
After conducting a ritual involving rapoko grains and a clay plate (mbiya/udiwo), he raped her.
The matter was reported at Mkoba Police Station, leading to the offender's arrest.
