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A MEMBER of the Madzibaba Wechishanu Apostolic Sect was on Monday dragged to the Chipinge Criminal Courts on allegations of raping a congregant in a bush at his shrine. The accused, Calisto Mataga (25) of 1324 Gaza Township was not asked to plead when he appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mr Noah Gwatidzo, facing rape charges as defined in Section 65 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
The court heard that on March 11 at around 1pm the complainant, Portia Sithole approached Mataga for spiritual deliverance. The suspect ordered Sithole to go back home and bring a piece of cloth and some water.
When she came back with the said items she found only two congregants at the shrine. The remaining congregants were delivered and they left the shrine leaving the complainant and Mataga alone.
Mataga called the complainant to get inside the shrine and ordered her to kneel down.
Mataga allegedly pushed the complainant who fell down facing upwards. He allegedly raped her once.
He allegedly gagged her mouth with he left palm.
After the act the complainant went home and told her step-mother that she had been raped.
A report was made to the police and the complainant was referred to Chipinge District Hospital for medical examination where it was concluded that there was penetration.
Mataga was remanded in custody to March 29.
Mrs Edith Phiri prosecuted.
Online Reporter