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Court Correspondents
A bogus prophet with Johanne Masowe eChishanu was on Tuesday jailed for an effective six months after he was found guilty of stealing $400 and two mobile cellphones worth $155 from a follower.
Harare magistrate Ms Tilder Mazhande initially slapped Johannes Chatyoka (25) with 12 months in jail before suspending four months on condition of good behaviour. She also suspended another two months on condition that he gives back $353 to Chinyan’anya Chibura.
The court found that Chibura took his satchel with $400 cash and two mobile phones valued at $155 to a shrine near Rueben Shops in Epworth where he engaged Chatyoka for faith healing.
Chibura left his satchel on the ground covered with a red cloth following instructions given to him by Chatyoka who then ordered Chibura to pray under a tree some distance from the shrine.
While Chibura was praying Chatyoka stole the $400 and the two phones and fled.
When Chibura picked up his satchel and found his money and phones missing and the prophet gone he immediately reported the matter to the police leading to Chatyoka’s arrest.
Meanwhile, a Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints congregant yesterday appeared in court for defrauding the church of $7 490.
Rufaro Richard Bembere (27) of No. 208 Musasa, Old Marimba in Harare, was charged with fraud when he appeared before magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe.
Bembere was granted free bail and is expected back in court on November 27.
Allegations are that during the period stretching from August to the end of October 2015 Bembere, stole a cheque book belonging to the church, forged signatures and withdrew money from Standard Chartered Bank on different occasions.
The church, represented by Stanely Makaza, went to Standard Chartered Bank and saw the bank cheques indicating the forged signatures written by Bembere.
A report was made to the police leading to his arrest.
Online Reporter