Gweru Prophet Jailed 15 Years for Raping Woman During Fake Cleansing Ritual

GWERU — A 25-year-old self-styled prophet from Mkoba 4, Gweru, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after raping a woman who had sought spiritual assistance at his shrine. The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) confirmed the conviction on Wednesday, describing the case as an example of how vulnerable individuals can be exploited through spiritual manipulation and deception.

According to court proceedings, the incident occurred on 4 June 2026 at the Nyenyedzi Nomwe Shrine in Mkoba 4. The complainant, a 22-year-old woman, had visited the shrine seeking prayers and spiritual guidance. She was carrying her employer's two-year-old child at the time. Prosecutors said the accused conducted prayers before informing the woman that she was allegedly possessed by a spirit that was preventing her from forming relationships with men. He further claimed that someone had stolen her underwear for ritual purposes and convinced her that she required urgent spiritual cleansing.

The court heard that the prophet instructed the woman to accompany him to a secluded bushy area behind Mkoba Cemetery, where he claimed he would perform a cleansing ceremony involving fire. Upon arriving at the location, he allegedly directed the complainant to leave the toddler several metres away before commencing what he described as a healing ritual.

Prosecutors said the man used rapoko grain and a clay plate, commonly known as mbiya or udiwo, as part of the ceremony. Under the guise of spiritual healing, he allegedly persuaded the woman to remove her undergarments and lie down before raping her.

The National Prosecuting Authority said the complainant managed to leave the scene shortly after the attack and immediately informed her employer about what had occurred. Her employer encouraged her to report the matter to the police, leading to a formal complaint being lodged at ZRP Mkoba on the same day. Police investigations resulted in the arrest of the accused and his subsequent prosecution.

Following the trial, the court found the self-proclaimed prophet guilty of rape and sentenced him to 15 years' imprisonment. The NPA noted that the conviction sends a strong message against individuals who abuse positions of trust or exploit religious beliefs to commit criminal offences. In keeping with standard practice in sexual offence cases, authorities did not publicly disclose the identity of the offender in order to protect the survivor's privacy.

The case is the latest in a series of prosecutions involving self-styled prophets, traditional healers, and religious figures accused of using spiritual claims to exploit vulnerable people.

Legal experts and child protection advocates have repeatedly urged members of the public to exercise caution when seeking spiritual assistance and to report any suspicious or abusive conduct to law enforcement authorities. The NPA said the successful prosecution demonstrates the justice system's commitment to protecting victims of sexual violence and holding perpetrators accountable, regardless of the methods used to facilitate the abuse.

Gweru prophet jailed for rape