A self-proclaimed prophet from Kwekwe has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of raping a 16-year-old girl, in a case that has shocked the local community and reignited calls for vigilance against abuse cloaked in spiritual authority.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the incident occurred on 29 September 2025, when the victim, feeling unwell, visited the 42-year-old offender’s home seeking prayers.
The man, who claimed to possess healing powers, initially suggested that the girl engage in sexual intercourse as a form of spiritual remedy.
When she refused, he lured her to a nearby bushy area under the guise of conducting a “cleansing ceremony.”
There, he instructed her to tie a red cloth around her waist and drink a concoction. The victim reportedly became dizzy after consuming the mixture, at which point the offender pushed her to the ground and raped her. After the assault, he claimed she had been healed and left the scene.
The victim disclosed the incident to her mother the following day, and a police report was promptly filed, leading to the arrest and prosecution of the offender.
