Chiweshe Prophet Remanded for Alleged Rape During "Spiritual Exorcism"

Bindura Magistrate's Court

A 43-year-old apostolic prophet from Chiweshe, Munyaradzi Chasi, has been remanded in custody after allegedly raping a congregant under the guise of performing a spiritual cleansing. Chasi appeared before Bindura Magistrate Charity Maunga on Monday to face formal rape charges.

The court, led by prosecutor Carson Kundiona, heard that the incident occurred on March 4, 2026. The complainant had initially visited Chasi’s shrine in Chiweshe for prayers in the company of a co-worker. After the initial session, the two began their journey home.

However, the complainant realized she had forgotten "healing oil" and returned to the shrine alone. Upon her return, the following sequence of events allegedly took place:

• The Directive: Chasi reportedly spotted the woman near his tobacco barn and instructed her to enter an abandoned room for "special prayers."

• The Deception: Once inside, Chasi claimed he needed to perform a ritual to remove "evil spirits" from her stomach.

• The Assault: The suspect allegedly proceeded to undress and rape the complainant.

The survivor immediately disclosed the ordeal to her colleague, leading to the filing of a formal police report. Investigations by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) led to Chasi’s swift arrest. Magistrate Maunga denied the suspect bail, citing the gravity of the offense. Chasi has been remanded in custody until March 18, 2026, pending further investigations and the commencement of his trial.

This case follows a string of similar reports involving "rogue" spiritual healers across the country. Local activists have reiterated calls for congregants to remain vigilant and avoid being isolated in private rooms during spiritual consultations.

Munyaradzi Chasi Chiweshe prophet arrest