A 44-year-old self-proclaimed spiritual healer has been convicted of rape and sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment by the Mutare Regional Magistrates’ Court.
The case highlights how predators exploit faith and desperation to commit abuse, raising urgent questions about accountability for fake healers and the protection of vulnerable people.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the offender sexually assaulted a neighbour under the guise of a ‘healing ritual’ in Dangamvura, Mutare.
The 46-year-old complainant, who was suffering from severe menstrual bleeding, sought the ‘prophet’s’ help. After initial ‘treatment’ with herbs, he later claimed that evil spirits were tormenting her.
On 16 April 2024, he took her to a river near Gimboki, where he raped her. The complainant, believing it was part of the healing process, complied—only for her husband to later discover the assault.
A police report was subsequently filed, leading to the offender’s arrest.

Pindula News

A man pretended to be a healer and raped a woman in Zimbabwe. He tricked her into thinking it was part of a healing ritual. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his crime. The woman sought help for her health problem and was taken advantage of by the man. This incident raises concerns about fake healers and how they prey on vulnerable people. The woman's husband found out about the assault and reported it to the police, leading to the man's arrest. It is important to be careful and not trust everyone who claims to be a healer.

"Prophet" Slapped With 18 Years Imprisonment For Raping Married Neighbour

A 55-year-old self-proclaimed prophet from the Chief Nyajina area of Uzumba was brought before the Murewa Magistrates’ Court on rape charges.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), in May 2023, the prophet gave a prophecy to a fellow congregant, the complainant, that she would have fertility issues. He instructed her to follow him to his residence for prayers.
Two weeks later, the complainant went to the prophet’s home, where she stayed for three days. On the third day, he told her to wake up at midnight for a prayer.
The prophet claimed the complainant had an unknown object in her womb that could only be removed by having sexual intercourse with him. He threatened her with death if she refused to comply, before he proceeded to rape her.
The matter came to light on February 1, 2025, when the prophet told the complainant’s husband that she must return to his home to complete the prayers.
The complainant then revealed to her husband that the prophet had raped her. A police report was filed, leading to the arrest of the prophet.
The accused was placed on remand and is scheduled to appear in court again on February 17, 2025.

A man who said he was a prophet was arrested for raping a woman in Uzumba. He told the woman she had a problem in her womb and needed to have sex with him to fix it. The woman stayed at his house for three days and he raped her on the third day. The woman told her husband, and the man was arrested. He will go back to court on February 17, 2025.

Madzibaba Arrested For Raping Congregant In Uzumba

A self-proclaimed prophet has been arrested in Bulawayo for allegedly raping a 19-year-old woman who had sought divine help through him.
According to <a href="https://vicfallslive.co.zw/seeking-help-finding-horror-19-year-old-raped-by-fake-prophet/">VicFallsLive</a>, the accused person, Zireva Solomon, is a resident of Gwabalanda who had been presenting himself as a prophet and offering religious rituals and guidance to community members.
The victim reportedly visited Solomon’s residence on October 10, carrying a white cloth to be used in a cleansing ceremony.
Solomon then allegedly instructed the woman to follow him to his shrine in Magwegwe North, where he prayed for her and then ordered her to lie on the white cloth with her eyes closed.
The police report state that Solomon then removed the woman’s pants and raped her twice without protection. 
The survivor, feeling traumatised and afraid, did not report the incident until recently, when she found the courage to go to the authorities.
Solomon has been taken into custody and is facing rape charges.
The police have warned the public about people who may misuse positions of spiritual influence to take advantage of vulnerable people seeking guidance or assistance.
To that end, the Police has emphasized the importance of vigilance and discernment when engaging with self-proclaimed spiritual leaders.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A 19-year-old woman was raped by a fake prophet while seeking divine help. The fake prophet, named Zireva Solomon, pretended to offer religious rituals and guidance to community members. The victim visited his residence for a cleansing ceremony, where he raped her twice. She reported the incident to the police later. Solomon has been arrested and faces rape charges. The police warn the public to be careful of fake spiritual leaders who may take advantage of vulnerable people. It is important to be cautious and discerning when seeking spiritual guidance.

19-year-old Woman Raped By Fake Prophet During "Cleansing"

A 40-year-old self-proclaimed prophet from Chikanga, Mutare, has been arraigned before the Mutare Magistrates’ Court on rape charges.
It is alleged that the accused person, Tendai Chikowore, caused his victim to lose her voice before raping her during a prayer session in the bush.
According to a statement from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the incident occurred on July 6, 2024, when the 31-year-old complainant visited the accused person’s shrine seeking spiritual guidance. Said the NPA:
<blockquote>
She was told that she needed cleansing and she was given some water to bath. She was further instructed to rub her body with some ashes in a nearby bush.
While applying the ashes in the bush, the accused person suddenly appeared and pushed the complainant down. She fell down facing upwards, after which he raped her once.
The complainant tried to scream for help and the accused person “ordered complainant’s voice to mute and she lost her voice”.
After the act, the accused person told the complainant that she should not argue with the Holy Spirit and also that she needed to be cleansed with holy water to get her voice back.
The complainant could still not speak when she made a police report, she wrote her ordeal on a piece of paper.
</blockquote>
After his arrest, Chikowore allegedly performed some rituals for the complainant in an attempt to help her regain her voice.
The court subsequently sentenced Chikowore to 20 years in prison, with 3 years suspended. He will therefore serve an effective sentence of 17 years behind bars.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A man who said he was a prophet made a woman lose her voice, then raped her in the bushes during a prayer. The woman went to him for help, and he said she needed cleansing. He raped her and made her lose her voice. The man was arrested and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He also tried to help the woman get her voice back after he was caught. The woman had to write down what happened to her because she couldn't speak.

Madzibaba Accused Of Raping Woman After Causing Her To Lose Voice

A 40-year-old self-proclaimed prophet from Chitungwiza has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Chitungwiza Magistrates’ Court for raping a client.
The court heard that on June 16, 2024, the 15-year-old complainant attended a church service where the accused “prophesied” that she needed a three-day exorcism to rid herself of purported evil spirits.
The following day, the complainant attended the first exorcism session and was instructed to return alone on June 22, 2024. On that day, the accused directed her to a Muhacha tree in the bush, claiming he would pray for her there.
Upon reaching the tree, the accused covered the complainant’s face with a cloth and ordered her to kneel. He then made her lie down on a piece of cloth, removed her clothes, and raped her. Despite her cries for help, no one came to her rescue.
The accused promised to buy the complainant a brand-new phone in exchange for her silence. The incident came to light when the complainant confided in a friend, leading to the accused’s arrest.
The court found the accused guilty and sentenced him to 20 years in prison.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A man who said he is a prophet was put in jail for 20 years for raping a 15-year-old girl. He told her she needed to be exorcised to get rid of evil spirits. He took her to a tree, covered her face, made her kneel, and raped her. He promised to give her a phone if she kept quiet. The girl told her friend, and the man was arrested. He was found guilty in court and sentenced to 20 years in jail.

"Prophet" Jailed 20 Years For Raping 15-Year-Old Client

A Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operative was arraigned before Harare magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa on Thursday, accused of raping a woman who had visited his shrine for spiritual assistance.
The accused, George Goromondo (26), was granted US$200 bail and will return to court on July 8 for possible trial date allocation pending the finalisation of investigations, reported <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200027991/cio-agent-up-for-rape">NewsDay</a>.
Allegations are that sometime last month, the complainant (name withheld for professional reasons) went to Goromondo’s shrine in Dzivaresekwa, Harare, to seek spiritual help.
The accused allegedly told the complainant to return at around 6 PM with a clay pot, rice, a white cloth and clay soil.
When the complainant returned to the shrine at the appointed time, the accused reportedly dismissed other women who were at the shrine.
He allegedly prepared an anointing syrup and applied it on the complainant.
After the cleansing act, Goromondo offered to escort the complainant home and she agreed.
However, along the way, Goromondo allegedly stopped his vehicle and demanded sex from the complainant who refused.
The accused is said to have produced an identity card showing that he was a CIO officer before raping her.
After the dastardly act, Goromondo allegedly threatened the complainant not to reveal the matter to anyone and told her to return to his shrine for more prayers the following day.
The complainant informed her grandmother about the sexual assault, who escorted her to the police, leading to the accused’s arrest.
Lancelot Mutsokoti prosecuted.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

CIO Operative And Self-Styled Prophet Faces Rape Allegation

A 53-year-old self-proclaimed prophet from Pumula, Bulawayo, has been arrested on charges of allegedly raping his client and forcing her to have sexual intercourse with one of his congregants at his shrine, purportedly as part of the “healing process.”
The matter came to light after the victim, aged 35, (name withheld for ethical reasons) divulged the alleged abuse to her mother.
She told her mother that the prophet identified as Israel Gwatinyanya, was forcing her to indulge in sexual intercourse with him and another congregate from his church.
<a href="https://cite.org.zw/pumula-prophet-arrested-on-rape-charges/">CITE</a> reported a source close to the investigations, who spoke on condition of anonymity, as saying Gwatinyanya had been attending to the victim since August 2022. Said the source:
<blockquote>
Gwatinyanya put up a shrine just behind the Haulin Quarry mine in Pumula suburb. Sometime in August 2022, the victim went to Gwatinyanya for assistance, saying she had a problem with her husband. Gwatinyanya then suggested that she stay with him while getting assistance.
The victim stayed with Gwatinyanya and his wife, sharing the same tent but sleeping on different beds.
In January 2023, Gwatinyanya informed the victim that the spirit told him that she should have sexual intercourse with him for the cleansing process to be successful, the accused had sexual intercourse with her several times from January 2023 to March 2023.
</blockquote>
In July 2023, Gwatinyanya allegedly ordered the woman to have sexual intercourse with another congregant (name supplied) aged 20 as part of her cleansing process. Said the source:
<blockquote>
The victim initially refused but Gwatinyanya forced her and instructed that they go and have intercourse at a nearby bush and after completing the act, they must both come back and report to him.
In August, Gwatinyanya again ordered the victim to have sexual intercourse with the congregant but she complained, citing that she would not indulge in sexual activities because her child was not feeling well.
She also inquired why the cleansing process involved a third party (the congregant) with whom she was forced to have sexual intercourse.
Gwatinyanya disregarded her concerns and maintained that it was all part of the cleansing and she had sexual intercourse for the second time with the congregant.
</blockquote>
The victim reportedly visited her mother on 09 January 2024 and narrated what had happened resulting in a police report being made and the subsequent arrest of Gwatinyanya.
There have been several reports of religious leaders sexually abusing their congregants in Zimbabwe. Some religious organisations have cultures and systems that allow abuse to take place and resist any exposure to this abuse, which can give cover to abusers.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Prophet (53) Arrested On Rape Charges

Police in Harare have launched a manhunt for a self-proclaimed prophet who allegedly drugged and raped a 23-year-old woman who had sought spiritual deliverance at his shrine in Whitecliffe.
The woman had failed to conceive and decided to visit Madzibaba Tarisai Mangwiro’s shrine seeking spiritual healing.
It is alleged that when she arrived at his shrine, the prophet told her that there was an evil object lodged in her uterus, which was preventing her from conceiving.
It is further alleged that Madzibaba Tarisai gave the woman something to drink, claiming that the evil object will move from the uterus to her breasts, and there was a need to remove it.
The woman drank the substance and became unconscious. When she later regained consciousness, she realised that she had been raped.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Harare Province, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, confirmed the incident to <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/fake-healer-rapes-woman-on-the-run/">H-Metro</a>. He said:
<blockquote>
The complainant was persuaded to drink a substance which made her unconscious and he raped her.
She did not immediately disclose the rape, but it haunted her until she decided to report the case to the police.
</blockquote>
Fake prophets usually take advantage of women who would have visited their shrines alone and rape them.
In most cases, the victims would have visited the “prophets” without the consent of their husbands and as a result, they fail to report the abuse to their spouses for fear of being divorced.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Prophet Drugs And Rapes Woman (23) At A Shrine In Harare

Bulawayo-based self-styled prophet, Mduduzi Dube popularly known as Black Elisha is reportedly demanding between US$100 and US$150 for a one-on-one session or consultation fee for an audience with him.
Dube, who is the founder of Christ Life Generation Church defended charging consultation fees, a practice considered by some Christians to be contrary to the teachings of the Bible.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.bmetro.co.zw/storm-over-prophets-one-on-one-charges/">B-Metro</a>, Dube defended the practice saying the money is needed to make the prophet presentable and also to help develop the church and fund the preaching of the Gospel. He said:
<blockquote>
Some people can only cope with being broke, they can’t manage with being blessed.
This is because if I bless you, after those consultations or one on one sessions your life will change immediately.
Life is a battleground and if you don’t create a strong atmosphere of prayers through one on one sessions with a man of God, you can’t access certain blessings because the kingdom of darkness is also interested in making those blessings not to get to you.
It’s just like asking why some people are patronising expensive restaurants. One of the reasons is the level of services being offered by those restaurants.
From having bread crumbs dusted off the table to be able to signal the staff with silverware placement to the staff’s knowledge of the dishes.
Presentation and the atmosphere are also some of the reasons. From how the table is set to how the food is placed on the plates. It displays a level of pride and attention to detail.
Likewise, as a true man of God who is blessing and healing people, I should not look wretched as you will take me as a bogus prophet or not have faith in my work.
That money from the consultation fees is used to help develop the church and some is used to preach the word of God and testify His goodness.
</blockquote>
Last year, another Bulawayo-based self-proclaimed prophet Bruce Edwards (real name Bruce Ncube), founder of Kingdom Empowerment Centre Church (KEC) also sparked debate after it emerged that he was allegedly demanding a US$20 consultation fee for an audience with him.
Ncube was also reportedly taking US$6 for a seat from congregants who wanted to attend his lunch-hour services.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwean "Prophet" Charging US$150 For One-on-one Sessions

A 19-year-old self-styled spiritual healer from Dzivaresekwa is on the run after he allegedly raped a 24-year-old married woman at a shrine in Kuwadzana 7 on November 3 last year.
The suspect, Carlos Mandizvidza, is alleged to have claimed that he had the power to stop the death of the woman’s child.
He allegedly instructed his victim to smear vaseline on her private parts before raping her.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Harare Province, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, confirmed the case to <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/healer-rapes-married-woman/">H-Metro</a>. He said:
<blockquote>
Police are investigating a rape case involving a Dzivaresekwa spiritual healer. In November, the complainant received information via a WhatsApp group that there was a prophet in Kuwadzana 7 who helps people with spiritual problems.
She then communicated with the accused person and narrated her spiritual problems.
The accused person confirmed that he could assist and referred her to his shrine at Kuwadzana New Stands in Harare.
On November 3, the complainant went to the shrine where she was instructed to rub vaseline on and inside her private parts. This was done while the accused person closed his eyes.
After about 29 minutes of rubbing, the accused person opened his eyes and told his victim that the spirit had instructed him to do the rubbing and raped her.
She was threatened that her child would die if she disclosed the act to anyone.
The complainant claims to have disclosed the act to a relative on January 23. The accused person is on the run.
</blockquote>
Carlos denied that he raped the woman saying she lured him into having sex with her and wanted him to marry her. He said:
<blockquote>
I am aware that I had sexual intercourse with the woman. She is the one who lured me into having sex with her and wanted me to marry her.
I learned about her marital status after her husband phoned me over my messages he found on her mobile phone. I am on my way to Botswana as we speak.
</blockquote>

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