Johane Masowe prophet up for rape

Narrating her story, the woman said the officer had given her a dollar to buy food while she was sitting in the charge office. “When I denied his sexual advances, the police officer wrestled with me arguing that I had to return his one dollar.He took advantage of the fact that I had disclosed that I had no other money for transport to return to Madziva.”

Faith Ndlovu
POLICE in Bulawayo have arrested a 21-year-old self-proclaimed prophet with the Johane Masowe Apostolic sect for allegedly raping a 19-year-old woman during a cleansing ceremony at his shrine in Magwegwe North suburb.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abdenico Ncube confirmed the arrest of Solomon Zireva from Gwabalanda suburb.

“In the early morning of 10 October 2024, the complainant who is a female adult aged 19 years old, went to the accused person’s place of residence to deliver a white cloth that was going to be used for cleansing.

“Upon arrival, the prophet told her that they must proceed to his shrine for cleansing purposes.

“When they were in a bushy area near the shrine in Magwegwe North, he ordered the complainant to kneel down and he prayed for her,” said Insp Ncube.

He said Zireva then allegedly ordered the victim to spread the white cloth on the ground, lie on top of it facing upwards and pray with her eyes closed.

“He then removed the victim’s panties and raped her twice without protection. He then released her and ordered her to go home,” said Insp Ncube.

The victim did not reveal the ordeal to anyone but on 21 October 2024 she made a police report leading to the arrest of Zireva.

“It is our appeal as the police for churches to preach the gospel of spiritual understanding so that people may be made aware that God can also hear their own prayers without the third hand from the self-proclaimed prophets,” warned Insp Ncube