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

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 35-year-old Domboshava self-proclaimed prophet was on Sunday fined three beasts by a Community Court for parading eight people naked, in front of villagers.
Madzibaba Renjidai, born Lovemore Kasambarare, appeared before Chief Chanhamora’s court after he paraded nude people to villagers at Munondo Village.
Madzibaba Renjidai accused his victims of dabbling in witchcraft but the chief asserted that it was taboo in his area to expose naked people in public.
In his judgement, Chief Chinamhora warned Madzibaba Renjidai over his shenanigans saying his conduct divides families. Said the chief:
<blockquote>
Zvawakaita zvekupfekenura vanhu mbatya ndiko kupfekenura dunhu, wakapfekenura mambo uye wakapfekenura sabhuku. (What you did, undressing people in public, is akin to undressing the land. You undressed the chief and you also undressed the village head).
We do not want people who operate without the knowledge of our traditional leaders as well as conduct prayers, or cleansing ceremonies, which seek to divide families.
From the evidence given by one of the minor victims, Madzibaba Renjidai forced his victims to undress at knifepoint, before locking their clothes in your room.
You went on to invite villagers to view all the eight naked people, for the better part of the day.
Such misconduct is taboo, according to our traditional values and culture and, this has never happened in this area within my jurisdiction.
By undressing the kraal head’s wife, you were undressing her husband who gave you a place to live with your family.
You exposed our land, Ndicho chinonzi chisiwonekwe kana kuti chipini ichocho. (taboo).
I do not confirm nor deny that there is witchcraft.
I do not know how your claimed spiritual powers operate but let me encourage you to learn to control your spirit so that it is not tempted to assault people as a punishment.
I want to believe that this was your first time to do such misconduct and you will not do the same thing again.
If I may take this opportunity to urge village heads to look out for people, who operate under the name of healing, to report them to police as well as bring them before our traditional court.
We want to promote unity and peace among villagers.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/chief-fines-madzibaba-for-parading-naked-people-2/">H-Metro</a></h4>

'Prophet' Fined 3 Beasts For Parading Naked 'Witches'

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:
<blockquote>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.</blockquote>
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.
<h4>More: <a href="https://ztn.co.zw/stream/2021/05/harare-prophet-threatens-woman-with-snake-rapes-her/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ZTN</a></h4>

Prophet Threatens Woman With Snake, Rapes Her Inside Car

A self-styled prophet has been sentenced to 36 months in jail for illegally keeping a two-metre-long African rock python that he used during his deliverance sessions.
Chusi Bhunu (31) of Village 2, Binje farm, Doma, in Mhangura appeared before provincial magistrate Ruth Moyo on Thursday on charges of violating Section 45 (1)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and was convicted on his own guilty plea.
Moyo sentenced Bhunu to 36 months in jail, before suspending six months on condition of good behaviour.
He will, therefore, serve an effective 30 months behind bars.
Prosecutor Review Nikisi told the court that on 3 May this year Bhunu, who is also a member of the Bible Fellowship Apostolic Ministry, was approached by Farai Makumbi who was seeking healing for his sick wife, Neria Makumbi.
On the same date, at around 8 pm, Bhunu proceeded to Makumbi’s residence at Plot 47, Jechenene also in Doma to perform a healing session for the ailing woman.
Bhunu was carrying on his back a black traveller’s bag and he allegedly took out a green sack which he secretly placed outside the house of his clients.
Unbeknown to Bhunu, two family members, Takemore Chando and Edmore Revesai spotted him hiding the sack and confronted him over the suspicious luggage.
Bhunu failed to give his clients a satisfactory answer and took to his heels, melting in the darkness and leaving his bag behind in which the python was curled up.
The next day, Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks) game rangers were alerted of the python and they proceeded to recover the snake and arrest the prophet.
Bhunu told the police that he duped people by performing fake miracles using the python, which in court was valued at US$5 000.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/bogus-prophet-jailed-36-months-for-keeping-python-used-to-fake-exorcisms/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

Prophet Jailed 36 Months For Keeping US$5 000 Python

A 19-year-old Harare woman was raped several times by a 33-year-old man between January and February this year after believing a purported prophetic message from a self-proclaimed prophet.
Through their Twitter account, the police said the prophet told the woman that he had seen a vision of his would-be husband, but the man later turned out to be a rapist.
The woman then informed the “prophet” that she had been raped by the “future husband” but the self-proclaimed seer concealed the crime. Police said:
<blockquote>The ZRP encourages members of the public to report all cases of sexual abuse promptly and avoid trusting strange prophetic utterances from pastors and prophets.
A Harare woman (19) was raped on several occasions between January and February 2021 by a suspect (33) after receiving a prophetic message from an alleged prophet who indicated to her that the man will be her future husband.
The spiritualist concealed the offence when it was reported to him by the victim. #notorape</blockquote>

Teenager Raped After Believing 'Prophetic' Message

A former self-proclaimed prophet, Ramabulana Makhado, a South African, told the country’s CRL Rights Commission how prophetic church leaders use witchcraft.
The commission was hearing evidence in Braamfontein on Monday from people who faked their prophesying for personal gain.
Makhado explained to the commission how female church members eventually fall prey to sexual abuse by the pastors who use witchcraft to have power over congregants. He said:
<blockquote>Others are being raped by the same cult leader, but it does not look like rape.
The reason why it doesn’t look like rape is that some people tend to have dreams where they are having sexual intercourse with the leaders and the following day, they start having sexual desires for this cult leader.</blockquote>
Another self-proclaimed prophet, Jay Israel, who said he is now reformed, told the commission how he used to rob people. He said:
<blockquote>I would say I have these powers and I want you to give me your car and so many people gave me cars, so many people gave me money.</blockquote>
Meanwhile, one of South Africa’s popular self-proclaimed prophets, Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary fled the country, contravening their bail conditions.
The Bushiris fled to Malawi citing safety concerns. They are facing charges of fraud involving more than R100 million.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/11/zim-fake-prophet-reveals-how-he-used-witchcraft-to-instil-fear-in-followers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Fake Prophets Latest News

Latest Jobs