Danisa Masuku
A SELF-STYLED prophet from Mberengwa, Midlands Province, must be regretting failing to put his sexual feelings under control after he was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl.
Before the alleged heinous act, he applied a concoction to her private parts, claiming he was cleansing her of evil spirits.
The accused is a neighbour of the victim from Mabhudhu Village in Mberengwa and cannot be named to protect the minor’s identity.
The court heard that on 24 November of this year, the victim suffered from a swollen leg. Her parents took her to a self-styled prophet who is their neighbour.
It was reported that the prophet began healing the minor. He would tell the parents that he needed to pray for her during the night, and they believed him.
The unsuspecting parents left the child in his care.
During the night, the self-proclaimed prophet allegedly turned into a monster. He applied a concoction to her body and private parts before allegedly raping her. Each time the minor was left in his care, he sexually assaulted her.
The matter came to light when the minor’s aunt visited her niece’s home and found her sleeping under a shade, wearing a coat, despite the hot weather.
The suspicious aunt questioned her, and the girl revealed the sexual abuse and stomach pains. She was taken to a hospital for a medical examination, which confirmed the rape.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the self-proclaimed prophet.
He appeared in court before Zvishavane regional magistrate Tavengwa Sangster, facing a rape charge.
He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to 23 December.