A 54-year-old self-styled prophet from Ruwa has been arrested for allegedly raping his wife’s younger sister at a shrine.
Madzibaba Edmore Nyambo, of the Johanne Masowe yeChishanu church based at Sunway City, is accused of committing the offence at his shrine. He and his family previously lived at the shrine before moving to Zimre Park.
The complainant and her parents were congregants at his shrine.
It is alleged that in 2020, Nyambo proposed to the complainant, claiming he had been directed by the Holy Spirit to take her as his second wife. She rejected the proposal and reported it to her sister.
Police allege that on a later date, the complainant visited her sister at the shrine and found Nyambo alone at home. While she was sweeping inside the house, he allegedly entered and raped her once.
The complainant told her sister and her father about the incident, but the family agreed to keep it a secret.
The matter later came to light after someone tipped off the Harare East District Victim Friendly Unit.
When interviewed, the complainant told police she had been raped by Nyambo, leading to his arrest.
The case was reported at Ruwa Police Station under RRB 6950559.
In a separate case, a self-proclaimed prophet has been jailed for 20 years for raping a 14-year-old girl during an all-night gathering at a Johanne Masowe shrine in Epworth.
Petros Aaron, 48, was convicted after a full trial by Harare regional magistrate Fadzai Mtombeni. He had denied the charge.
Prosecutor Kuda Muza told the court that both Aaron and the girl were members of Johanne Masowe yeNyeredzi Nomwe and were at Chitsuwa Shrine in Sunway City, Epworth, when the offence occurred.
The court heard that on 11 July, the girl attended an all-night service at the shrine with a relative. At around 8 pm, she went to rest in a small tent while other congregants continued praying.
Aaron allegedly entered the tent, grabbed her by the neck, covered her mouth and threatened her to remain silent. He then overpowered her and raped her once, before warning her not to tell anyone.
The girl later disclosed the assault to her mother and was medically examined.
In his defence, Aaron said he did not know the girl personally, that he was only a member and not a leader of the church, and that he never had individual access to her.
He also argued that more than 40 people were sleeping in closely packed tents at the shrine and that prayers continued throughout the night.
More: H-Metro
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