Rapist prophet imprisoned 15 years

Conrad Mupesa Mashonaland West Bureau

A self-styled 30-year-old Chinhoyi prophet was last week sentenced to an effective 15 years for raping a teenage girl from the same town.

Chinhoyi provincial magistrate Mr Ignatious Mugova had initially sentenced Philip Chirwa of 412 Chikonohono in Chinhoyi to 18 years before suspending three years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence.

The man will serve an effective 15 years behind bars.

Prosecuting, Mr Nyasha Sibesha told the court that on 25 September, Chirwa raped a 16-year-old girl near a bushy area close to Chinhoyi CSC purporting he was cleansing her from evil spirits.

The victim, who was on her way to water the family garden, met Chirwa who gave a false prophecy to the unsuspecting girl.

The court also heard that the victim told Chirwa that she wanted to inform her father first, but, only managed to get back to her senses a while later naked with the man performing sexual intercourse without her consent.

The victim tried to scream for help but Chirwa covered her mouth with his hand.

She later reported the case at Chinhoyi Central Police and medical examinations were conducted at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital.

A medical report was presented to the court as an exhibit.