Two members of an apostolic sect in Kadoma’s Mupamombe suburb, who call themselves prophets, allegedly stoned a neighbour to death over a dispute regarding religious beliefs last Friday.
Shepherd Mpofu was attacked while lying on the ground after being struck by a clay pot thrown by Misheck Muperiwa (22) and his colleague Costain Tshuma (28).
Assistant Inspector Effort Chapoto, the acting spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Mashonaland West Province, provided details about the incident to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/killer-prophets-on-the-run/">The Herald</a>.
He said on Friday around 7 AM, Muperiwa and Tshuma were conducting prayers in the vicinity of their shrine. Said Chapoto:
<blockquote>
The two were moving around scattering ashes and charcoal which they said were holy and had powers of cleansing and protecting their shrine as well as the area of Mupamombe from evil spirits.
The exercise did not go down well with the now deceased who questioned the two.
A misunderstanding arose as the now-deceased tried to block the two from further carrying their mission and this deteriorated into a fierce battle.
</blockquote>
It is alleged that Muperiwa struck Mpofu in the face with a clay pot, which shattered upon impact, causing him to fall to the ground. The two men then proceeded to pelt him with stones until he lost consciousness.
Simbarashe Gombera, a neighbour, attempted to intervene but was also targeted with stones by Muperiwa and Tshuma. In a desperate move, Gombera rushed to report the incident at the Ingezi police base.
Officers from ZRP Kadoma, along with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), responded to the scene but learned that Mpofu had already been taken to Kadoma General Hospital in a bid to save his life.
Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead on arrival, and his body was subsequently transferred to the hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.

Pindula News

Two "prophets" in Kadoma stoned a neighbor to death in a fight over holy ashes that they said had powers. The prophets, Misheck Muperiwa and Costain Tshuma, were scattering ashes when the neighbor, Shepherd Mpofu, questioned them. A fight broke out, and Mpofu was hit with a clay pot and then stoned until he passed out. Another neighbor tried to help but was also attacked. Police arrived, but Mpofu died at the hospital. The prophets are on the run, and investigations are ongoing.

"Prophets" Fatally Assault Kadoma Man In Dispute Over "Holy Ashes"

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has warned the public, particularly women, against seeking spiritual healing from self-styled prophets or traditional healers in secluded locations.
The warning comes after a reported case of sexual assault involving a 26-year-old woman who was allegedly abused by a self-styled prophet during a spiritual healing session at a shrine in Dzivarasekwa 3, Harare.
In a statement, Police said the woman was attacked sometime in the first week of May 2024. Police said:
<blockquote>
The ZRP warns members of the public, especially women, against consulting self-styled prophets or traditional healers at secluded places for spiritual healing.
This follows a case of rape in which a woman (26) was sexually abused by a self-styled prophet whilst allegedly receiving spiritual healing at a shrine in Dzivarasekwa 3 on an unknown date during the first week of May 2024.
</blockquote>
These self-styled prophets often exploit vulnerable individuals by promising miraculous solutions to their problems.
As such, women should be wary of prophets who conduct rituals or healing sessions in secluded places, away from public scrutiny.
Prophets who manipulate followers by using fear, such as threatening divine punishment or curses, are most likely false prophets
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

"Prophet" Rapes Harare Woman (26) During Private Consultation

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>

Self-styled Spiritual Healer (19) Rapes Married Woman (24)

A Chitungwiza-based self-proclaimed prophet has divided his church after he abandoned his wife of eighteen years and married a younger woman from his church.
The cleric, Ezekiel Masiyandima (44), of Ebenezer Prophetic Ministries, left his wife Portia Chiwanga (38), for his 21-year-old congregant, Melania Madamombe.
A significant number of congregants are reportedly boycotting church services in protest over Masiyandima’s move.
Masiyandima confirmed to <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/prophet-dumps-wife-for-young-blood/">H-Metro</a> that he had married Melania because Portia accused him of dabbling in witchcraft after his visit to the late Nigerian pastor, T.B. Joshua’s church, and the mysterious deaths of three of their children. He said:
<blockquote>
It’s true that I have separated with Portia because she has been accusing me of using juju.
Arikunditi ndakaromba zvichitevera rufu rwevana vedu nenzira yaasina kunzwisisa.
She would attack me for my visits to Nigeria to see Prophet TB Joshua and also my last visit to see TB Joshua’s wife.
Her parents misled her into believing white garment prophets and those are the ones who gave falsehoods about the causes of our children’s deaths.
Portia ended up not attending church to engage in cross-border trading, so we are no longer together and she is the one feeding church members with falsehoods.
Yes, I have married one of our church members called Melania saka yanetsa iyoyo.
</blockquote>
Portia told the publication that she regretted marrying the man of the cloth, alleging he is a womaniser, abuser, drunkard, and crook. She said:
<blockquote>
I endured being the wife of someone who claims to be a prophet. Ezekiel would come home drunk and assault me for no reason.
He would take his time to devise ways to take church members’ money and opened a new Ecocash line for that.
Instead of building my faith in God, Ezekiel hardened my heart and dampened my faith and spirit, and I now regret the years I lived as his wife.
God blessed us with five children, but three of them died mysteriously and I do not rule out his so-called mysterious prayers.
He has turned to younger women and I am told he is now living with one woman he is yet to pay lobola for.
Ezekiel never paid any cent to my parents for lobola for the past 18 years. With five children, you would expect such a person to be a responsible father and prophet.
But he is comfortable finding ways of manipulating church members to help him pay lobola for his new young wife.
</blockquote>

"Prophet" (44) Abandons Wife Of 18 Years For Younger Congregant (21)

A Harare-based self-styled faith healer (prophet) says he is sick after he was reportedly forced to drink a client’s urine during a healing session.
Madzibaba Tanya is accusing Madzibaba Steven Muchanyu of using him before duping him of US$5 000 which they had agreed on as his payment.
Madzibaba Tanya told H-Metro that Madzibaba Steven “hired” him to help him heal a client suspected to have come from Zambia seeking help. He said:
<blockquote>
Madzibaba Steven looked so desperate when he approached me seeking help. He said he had someone who was coming from Zambia or Botswana not sure who was having problems of pulse beating uncontrollably when driving.
He also said he was having dreams in which every time he dreams of his funeral and wakes up feeling very sick.
So he begged me to help him heal the person and I accepted his request to which we agreed that I would get USD$5000 from the USD$15 000 which the client was to pay.
After five days he told me that the person had arrived but I refused to perform the miracles at his church since he would get the credit.
</blockquote>
Madzibaba Tanya added that during the healing session, he was possessed by a strange “foreign” spirit and it was while he was in a trance that he drank the patient’s urine. He said:
<blockquote>
I got possessed during the healing process with a spirit that I don’t even understand.
I was told that the spirit wanted me to drink the client’s urine and it was the same spirit that wanted to kill the client.
So I drank the urine in which the client got healed, hana yake yakabva yangoti zii kurova fast kwayaiita and he (client) confirmed that he was healed and was grateful.
</blockquote>
Madzibaba Tanya said he had been promised US$15 000 but was surprised to be given US$100 instead of the agreed fee.
He said he needed US$5 000 so that he could find faith healers to heal him as he is now sick and also to be delivered from the alien spirit.
Madzibaba Tanya said that each time “I visit other churches I am told they are seeing death ahead of me due to the spirit which came upon me.”
However, Madzibaba Steven disputed the allegations, accusing his erstwhile friend of unspecified action. He said:
<blockquote>
I have issues with this man. We used to pray together before I left him over his conduct of getting drunk whilst at the shrine.
He would also sleep with married women in the bushes, so he is trying to tarnish my image so that my church collapses. He is lying.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/madzibaba-eats-human-waste/">H-Metro</a></h4>

Prophet Drinks Client's Urine During Healing Session

A Botswana-based Zimbabwean self-styled prophet has been shamed after it emerged that he was sleeping with a number of women who sought his services and selling oil called “Do as I say” for P10 000 a bottle.
Gerald Eliazer Tanaka Gapare, aka Gerald Miracle, was arrested in Botswana after his former fiancé, Tebo Mooki, spotted a poster advertising the clergyman’s appearance at a “Prophetic Invasion” in Mahalapye, The Voice reported.
The paper recently reported that Gapare who is now behind bars was arrested after being deported thrice for being in that country illegally.
Mooki (40), who also claims to be a prophetess at God Grace International Ministry (GGIM), was responsible for Miracle’s initial arrest back in April.
Known as Prophetess Hannah, Mooki told The Voice that she had a vivid dream that showed her then-lover was using charms.
She said she saw exactly where Miracle hid his devices, which included an animal horn as well as various herbs, bones and ointments.
Mooki further claimed that when she awoke, she went to the hiding place and found there were indeed strange items hidden there.
She says when she confronted her man, he duly confessed to using charms to defraud women and have s_x with them.
Mooki claims when she asked him to get rid of the horn, he refused, saying he needed it to manage his erections. Said Mooki:
<blockquote>
I reported to the police and they discovered that he was using a fake passport and was an illegal immigrant.
He was deported on the 14th of April but, on the 18th, I was surprised to see his poster advertising a church service in Mogoditshane. He was arrested and deported in June. He is back again!
</blockquote>
She also alleged Gapare was having love affairs with many of her church ushers and stealing money from people in the name of God.
Meanwhile, upon his arrest the alleged bogus prophet was found using a passport, the police believed to be fake.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.bmetro.co.zw/sex-crazed-prophet-exposed/">B-Metro</a></h4>

10 000 Pula A Bottle Of Holy Oil Zimbabwean "Prophet" Shamed

A 42-year-old Chitungwiza woman lost all her property and cash to a self-proclaimed prophet during a healing session on Sunday.
Lolleen Nengomasha of Zengeza invited a stranger only identified as Madzibaba Tatenda believed to be a faith healer to her house following prophecies she received concerning her headache.
She told H-Metro that Madzibaba Tatenda drugged her along with her minor child so that they slept until the following afternoon giving the latter time to get away with her belongings.
Nengomasha said she lost blankets, clothes, electrical gadgets, groceries, cellphones and cash amounting to US$300 among other valuables to the prophet.
She reported the case under CR245/7/21 at St Mary’s Police Station and Madzibaba Tatenda is reported to be on the run.
Narrating her ordeal to H-Metro, Nengomasha said she had a terrible headache on the day that she invited the prophet to her home. She said:
<blockquote>
I am yet to know how this madzibaba got my contact number and sent prophetic messages in line with my headache.
He asked for directions and I regret inviting him to my house for prayers.
</blockquote>
Nengomasha said Madzibaba Tatenda suggested that he would visit her at dusk, and during the prayers, he mixed ash with some drink and ordered her to gulp the concoction. She said:
<blockquote>
He is the one who suggested coming at 6 pm and brought dota raaiti nderepamazambara.
It was mixed with something blue in colour and I was ordered to drink an unidentified liquid together with my child.
I felt dizzy and slept soon after the prayers and drinking the liquid. I only regained consciousness the following day around 3 pm.
That was the time we discovered that the house was empty zvekutakura nenyama yaive mu fridge.
As we speak I am yet to gain energy and I’m experiencing disturbances in my stomach due to the liquid.
Some neighbours informed me that he has been doing this for some time and claims to be based in Unit N while others say he lives in Chisipiti.
Dota rakasara ritoripo netunhu twe blue mukati maro.
</blockquote>
Madzibaba Tatenda’s alleged recorded audios with some of his victims are circulating on social media along with some of his photographs.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/prophet-drugs-robs-woman/">H-Metro</a></h4>

"Prophet" Drugs, Robs Woman In Her House

A self-proclaimed Chiredzi prophet was arrested after he inserted his fingers into the private parts of a 16-year-old girl during a cleansing process. The incident happened on 5 May 2021.
James Mutonhorera (51) of Village 7 Uswaushava, Triangle pleaded not guilty to indecent assault charges when he appeared before Masvingo Regional Magistrate Judith Zuyu recently. He was remanded in custody to 18 June.
Prosecutor Noel Muranda told the court that on the day of the incident, the so-called prophet and the victim were alone in a hut.
The minor’s parents and other siblings who accompanied her were sitting outside the hut when the supposed rituals were taking place.
Mutonhorera ordered the minor to remove her undergarments as he wanted to remove something from her v_gina.
He then sprinkled some water on her and she allegedly fell unconscious as the prophet was inserting fingers into her v_gina.
When the minor regained consciousness, her skirt was pulled up and she felt pain in her private parts.
Mutonhorera claimed he had removed three bones from the minor’s stomach, breast and back.
The attack came to light after the minor narrated her ordeal to her mother.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/self-styled-prophet-removes-bones-through-girls-privates/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

Self-proclaimed Prophet ‘Removes Bones’ From Girl’s Privates

A self-styled Harare prophet is on the run after he allegedly raped a 30-year-old woman in Old Highfield after misrepresenting that he had been sent by the Holy Spirit to cleanse the congregant.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza has appealed to anyone who may have information that can lead to the arrest of the alleged suspect to come forward. He said:
<blockquote>The suspect is on the run and anyone with any information on the whereabouts of the suspect should report to any nearest police.</blockquote>
ZTN reported police sources as saying the suspect only identified as Madzibaba Ray, visited the complainant at her residence in Highfield and raped her.
Madzibaba Ray misrepresented to the complainant that she was possessed with an evil spirit that needed spiritual cleansing. The suspect allegedly went closer to the complainant and unzipped her jeans dress.
The accused then had unprotected sexual intercourse once with the complainant without her consent.
<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/teenager-raped-after-believing-prophetic-message/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">READ MORE: Teenager Raped After Believing ‘Prophetic’ Message</a>
The crime only came to light after the complainant told the story to one of the church congregants who advised her to report the case to the police. A source was quoted as saying:
<blockquote>When the suspect was approached to explain his actions, he became evasive. The matter was then reported at Harare Central Police station where investigations are underway.</blockquote>
<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/prophet-threatens-woman-with-snake-rapes-her-inside-car/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">READ MORE: Prophet Threatens Woman With Snake, Rapes Her Inside Car</a>
Inspector Mwanza said members of the public should not be fooled by self-styled prophets into believing that cleansing can be achieved through sexual intercourse.
<h4>More: <a href="https://ztn.co.zw/stream/2021/06/harare-prophet-on-the-run-over-rape-charges/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ZTN</a></h4>

Harare Prophet Rapes Congregant During Spiritual Cleansing

A Chimanimani based self-proclaimed prophet suspected of dating married women was abducted and deported to Mozambique as punishment for his wrongdoings.
Naison Sithole aged 35, was allegedly kidnapped by two Mozambican nationals and their Zimbabwean accomplice and taken to the neighbouring country.
The trio accused the self-proclaimed prophet of having extramarital affairs with their wives after taking advantage of their vulnerabilities when they sought spiritual help from him.
The police spokesperson for Manicaland Province, Inspector Luxson Chananda confirmed the incident, saying police has since launched a manhunt for the accused persons.
According to a ZBC News report, the three only identified as Joro, Chokwarara and Maphosa allegedly took Sithole to Mozambique where they assaulted him before demanding 10 thousand rands from his wife as a ransom for his safe return.
After the matter was reported to the police, community leaders from Chikwidzire village in Mozambique, where Sithole was being held were roped in and helped negotiate for his release.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/prophet-kidnapped-for-dating-married-women/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ZBC News</a></h4>

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