Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, Court Reporter
A SELF-STYLED prophet, Madzibaba Lenon Chidarikire (44), who allegedly planted two snakes at a former bank manager’s house before reportedly defrauding her of US$3 000, three cars, one of them a Toyota Hilux, claiming it was payment for his services to remove evil spirits, has appeared in court.
Madzibaba Chidarikire from Bulawayo’s Entumbane suburb appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Ms Patience Madondo facing fraud charges.
He applied for bail, stating that he would reside at his home in Entumbane suburb and would not interfere with State witnesses.
Madzibaba Chidarikire also submitted that he is not a danger to society and told the court that when the police were looking for him he was at his farm in Bindura.
In opposing bail, the State, represented by Ms Brenda Ndlovu said Madzibaba Chidarikire who was arrested at his hideout in Bindura last month, had been on the run since August.
She said he had proved that he is a flight risk.
The court heard that one of his girlfriends gave the police a tip-off leading to his arrest.
Ms Madondo said she agreed with the State that Madzibaba Chidarikire was a flight risk and remanded him in custody to December 23.
The State allegations are that on March 22 this year, the accused and his accomplice, identified as Madzibaba Michel, devised a plan to defraud Ms Innocentia Sekani, a former bank manager from Bulawayo’s Montrose suburb.
The duo then allegedly performed rituals at Ms Sekani’s home and purported to have removed two snakes from her house.
This, according to Ms Ndlovu, terrified Ms Sekani.
“After that, Madzibaba Chidarikire demanded US$3 000, which he said must be paid within two hours and issued unspecified threats against Ms Sekani,” said Ms Ndlovu.
She said Ms Sekani had to run around to raise the US$3 000 which she then paid.
The court heard that on March 28 this year, Madzibaba Chidarikire returned to Ms Sekani’s house and told her that he had received spiritual direction from his friend, identified as Madzibaba Mushore, informing him to instruct her and her daughter to come to his shrine in Norton.
“Ms Sekani, in the company of her daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend, went to the shrine. Upon arrival, Madzibaba Chidarikire ordered her to sell her Mazda Demio car. She complied and sold the car for US$2 200 and Madzibaba Chidarikire signed the agreement of sale as a witness. She then gave the money to Madzibaba Chidarikire as instructed,” said Ms Ndlovu.
On May 14 this year, Madzibaba Chidarikire again visited Ms Sekani and purported to have removed a snake from one of the rooms.
“He demanded US$250 and a Toyota Aqua, saying it’s for cleansing services. The complainant complied and gave him US$250 and the car.
On June 24 Madzibaba Chidarikire summoned Ms Sekani and her daughter to his shrine, claiming that there were evil spirits that were affecting her daughter.
“She went to the shrine and paid US$20 consultation fee and US$300 for cleansing services. Madzibaba Chidarikire than instructed Ms Sekani to bring her Toyota Hilux truck claiming that there was an evil animal living inside the truck,” said Ms Ndlovu.
She said when Ms Sekani brought the truck, Madzibaba Chidarikire told her to sell it for US$10 000 within two hours. They found a buyer who paid US$9 500 and promised to pay the US$500 balance later.
Ms Sekani then handed the US$9 500 to Madzibaba Chidarikire, the court heard.
After a few days, Madzibaba Chidarikire demanded the US$500 balance, claiming it was contaminated with evil spirits, and she gave him. After receiving the last payment, Madzibaba Chidarikire disappeared until his arrest last month.
