Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku
SELF-STYLED prophet Madzibaba Lenon Chidarikire, the man accused of planting snakes in a former bank manager’s home before fleecing her of cash and cars including a Toyota Hilux, has been denied bail as his sensational fraud case takes another dramatic twist.
Chidarikire appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Patience Madondo, hoping to convince the court that he was a harmless farmer from Norton who would never skip trial. He claimed he resides at his home, would not interfere with witnesses and was only away because he was “doing farming.”
However, Prosecutor Brenda Ndlovu tore into his story, telling the court there is no farming done in August and revealing that Chidarikire had actually been on the run since August. She said he was finally arrested at a hideout in Bindura after one of his girlfriends snitched on him. Ndlovu argued he was a clear flight risk.
The magistrate agreed. Chidarikire was remanded in custody until 23 December, shutting down his bid for freedom.
According to the State’s case, on 22 March Chidarikire and an accomplice, Madzibaba Michel, allegedly hatched a plan to defraud Innocentia Sekani, a former bank manager who had recently retired. They went to her home where they performed rituals and supposedly removed two snakes from her house. Terrified, Sekani was allegedly told to pay US$300 within two hours or face unspecified spiritual consequences. She ended up handing over US$3 000.
On 28 March, the accused returned, claiming he had received a spiritual message from another prophet, Madzibaba Mushore, ordering Sekani to report to a shrine in Norton. Sekani travelled with her daughter and the daughter’s boyfriend.
Once there, Chidarikire allegedly instructed her to sell her Mazda Demio, and she complied, letting it go for US$2 200. Chidarikire even signed the agreement of sale as a witness.
The court heard that the scheme continued on 14 May, when Chidarikire returned to the house and allegedly “removed” yet another snake. He then demanded US$250 and a Toyota Aqua as payment for cleansing. Sekani complied again.
The final blow came on 24 June. Chidarikire summoned Sekani to the shrine, warning her that evil spirits were now targeting her daughter. She paid US$20 consultation and US$300 cleansing fee. He then ordered her to fetch her Toyota Hilux, claiming an evil animal lived inside it.
Chidarikire allegedly commanded her to sell the Hilux within two hours to a buyer he knew, for US$9 500. She handed over the money, after which he demanded US$500 more, claiming it was contaminated with evil spirits. She paid once again.
The scam’s logistics were almost theatrical. Sekani and her daughter were instructed to travel to Norton, throw cash in the Mguza River, and consult the prophet at multiple shrines. There was someone hiding under the bridge to collect the money and Sekani believed it had been swallowed by the River to appease the spirits.
Chidarikire allegedly warned her not to tell anyone about the extortion.
By the time she realised she was being scammed, Sekani had parted with US$20 700 and three cars, only the Mazda Demio was recovered.
Chidarikire now sits behind bars as the State prepares to put the dramatic snake and spirit saga to the full test in court.
