Police in Harare have arrested a 38-year-old self-styled prophet for allegedly raping a 25-year-old woman in a car after threatening her with a live snake.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Webster Dzvova said Luckson Mapurisa of Budiriro suburb allegedly raped the complainant who had gone to his shrine for some prayers.
It is alleged that when the complainant arrived at the shrine, Mapurisa indicated that they had to go to a nearby place for the prayers.
The pair allegedly drove to Chemhanza grounds in Mufakose suburb, where the accused produced a big snake threatening the complainant before raping her once in the car. Assistant Inspector Dzvova said:
The accused parked his vehicle at Chemhanza grounds and jumped to the back seat of his vehicle where the complainant was seated.
He inserted his fingers into the complainant’s private parts and when she tried to resist she was shown a big snake which was in a bag and the accused raped the complainant once without protection.
The complainant made a report at Glen View Police Station on 29 May leading to the arrest of the suspect on Monday morning.
Mapurisa is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.