HARARE, Aug. 13 (NewsDay Live) — A Gletwin traditional healer and his wife have been jailed for raping a 13-year-old mentally challenged girl who had been taken to their shrine for spiritual healing.
The healer, Gathry Chiredzero, popularly known as Madzibaba Gathry, was sentenced to an effective 20 years in prison, while his wife, Diana Chauke, 37, received an effective 15-year term for aiding the crime.
The sentences were handed down by Harare Regional Magistrate Estere Chivasa on Aug. 6, according to court records and the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ).
The court heard that in January, the victim’s mother took her daughter to the couple’s shrine in Gletwin for spiritual healing.
During the session, Chiredzero demanded sexual intercourse with the girl as part of the purported healing process. Chauke allegedly produced a firearm-like object and threatened the victim’s mother into complying.
That night, the couple arranged a room at their residence where Chiredzero raped the girl.
The following day, while the girl’s mother was at work, the couple again coerced and threatened the victim, resulting in a second rape.
The abuse came to light on June 7 when the victim’s mother took her children to an apostolic prophet for another healing session.
After the girl disclosed what had happened, the prophet advised her mother that the abuse was a criminal offence and should be reported to police.
A police report was subsequently made, leading to the couple’s arrest and prosecution.
Magistrate Chivasa described Chiredzero as a “manipulative sadist” and found the victim’s evidence credible and consistent, with medical evidence supporting her account.
The NPAZ condemned sexual violence against vulnerable children, particularly by people entrusted with their care, and warned that perpetrators would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.