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Nyore Madzianike Senior Court Reporter
A self-styled prophet appeared in court on allegations of pressuring a man to surrender his BMW and Toyota Hiace vehicles and $200 000 as payment for a python he had put in the couple’s home and which he claimed was sucking blood from the man’s wife causing her illness.
Blessing Chimbadzo, of Glen View 3, Harare appeared before Mbare magistrate Ms Rangarirayi Gakanje charged with extortion. He was not asked to plead to the charges and is expected back in court on January 5 for trial.
Chimbadzo allegedly pressed Norbert Zimvu to surrender his cars and cash for him to remove the snake which he uncovered behind a cupboard through a cleansing ceremony done when he was alone in the room and which he refused to kill to dispose of until he was given the cars and use of the bank card.
Mr Joe Chikoto, prosecuting said Zimvu and his ailing wife visited Chimbadzo at his shrine in Glen View 3, Harare, on October 30.
Chimbadzo allegedly told Zimvu that he rendered his services for free but he was also welcome to receive tokens of appreciation in the event that they were satisfied with his services. Chimbadzo gave Zimvu’s wife some herbs and ‘holy’ water as part of treatment.
In November, Chimbadzo then allegedly asked Zimvu to take a Toyota Hiace and BMW 318i to his shrine for cleansing. Zimvu complied and took the cars to the shrine together with his wife and returned home.
The court heard that Chimbadzo then asked Zimvu’s wife for the car keys and drove the BMW into the shrine.
On the following day, Zimvu went to the shrine for a church service. Afterwards, Chimbadzo asked if he could accompany Zimvu and his wife to their house to hold a prayer session and to perform a cleansing ceremony.
Before leaving the shrine, Zimvu asked for his vehicles’ keys but Chimbadzo claimed he was failing to locate them. Chimbadzo and his aides left for Zimvu’s residence for prayers and cleansing ceremony and on arrival, Zimvu and his wife found Chimbadzo and his aides already at their house.
They went into the house where Chimbadzo started performing rituals and later ordered everyone to get into the bedroom.
The court heard that Chimbadzo then ordered Zimvu to move his wardrobe and was shocked to find a live python.
Chimbadzo is said to have held the snake by the neck whilst he was standing at the bed exposing its full length, inducing fear into Zimvu and his wife.
It is alleged that with the couple still in shock, Chimbadzo demanded US$12 000 for him to kill the snake.
Zimvu indicated that he had no money and instead offered some cattle and goats. Chimbadzo allegedly turned down the offer insisting he wanted cash and a residential stand. Alternatively, Zimvu could surrender the BMW that was at Chimbadzo’s shrine but Zimvu refused to comply.
The court heard that Chimbadzo asked how much money he had at that moment and he indicated that he had $226 000.
It is said Zimvu then gave Chimbadzo his bank card and left for work. The court heard that Chimbadzo then started demanding the registration book for the BMW 318i from Zimvu’s wife while threatening to leave the snake at her house in the event that she refused.
Out of fear, she then gave him the registration book. Chimbadzo and his aides then allegedly took Zimvu’s wife to Kuwadzana 4 leaving the snake in a sack in the house.
He then allegedly forced Zimvu’s wife to sign an agreement of sale before the commissioner of oath, Pastor Kurayi Makwarawanda.
They then returned to her residence where Chimbadzo took the snake and they went to Makomva Shopping Centre, Glen View 8 where he bought groceries worth $200 000 using Zimvu’s bank card after getting the PIN from his wife.
He then returned the card and went away. Zimvu only realised that he had been duped after his wife’s health continued to deteriorate and he made a police report.
Online Reporter