A SELF-PROCLAIMED prophet of the Johane Masowe Nguwo Tsuku sect has appeared in court after he allegedly splashed an unknown substance on a 15-year-old girl’s face, causing her to lose consciousness before raping her.
Simon Mpofu (30), of Gababi village in Nkayi, Matabeleland North, appeared before Abednico Ndebele, a magistrate at the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Courts, facing a charge of raping a Form Two pupil.
The complainant told the court that on March 1, a neighbour invited her to visit Mpofu, whom they described as a powerful man of God who casts out evil spirits and heals various ailments.
“I joined my neighbour and headed to the homestead where Mpofu was camping, healing and praying for people,” she said.
“While we were seated in the yard, Madzibaba Mpofu called me into the room. As soon as I entered, he splashed a substance on my face, causing me to feel dizzy and I fell to the ground.
“After that, he raped me. After raping me, he told me not to tell anyone, adding that if I did evil spirits would torment me.”
The neighbour, who was with the minor, told the court that Madzibaba Mpofu, singing in a low tone, stood a few metres away and called the girl to his room, where he conducted prayers.
“After about 10 minutes, the girl came out crying and told us she had been raped,” the neighbour said.
After the sexual assault, the minor went home and narrated the ordeal to her grandmother.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to Mpofu’s arrest.
The prosecutor told the court that the girl was medically examined at Nkayi District Hospital and a report will be produced in court.
Mpofu was remanded in custody to April 2.