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Nyore Madzianike
Senior Court Reporter
A Harare self-styled traditional healer who grabbed headlines this week for allegedly raping women using his snake as an “intimidation tool” was formally charged yesterday.
Luckson Mapurisa (38) appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court facing allegations of raping a woman who had sought his services at his shrine in Budiriro, Harare.
Mapurisa was not asked to plead to the charges when he appeared before Mr Denis Mangosi, who remanded him in custody to June 15.
Mr Mangosi advised him to apply for bail at the High Court.
Th State led by Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti said on May 18 this year, the woman went to Mapurisa’s shrine in Budiriro 5 seeking his faith healing services.
Mapurisa allegedly told the woman that he wanted to take her to some place where he would complete the prayers. He is said to have driven the woman to Chemhanza grounds in Glen View where he parked his vehicle.
He allegedly went to the back seat of the car and started caressing the woman’s privates, in the name of praying for her.
The State alleges that he lowered the woman’s seat and ordered her to remain silent before pulling out his snake, which he used to threaten her in the event that she wanted to resist his sexual advances.
The court heard that Mapurisa went on to rape the woman. Irked by Mapurisa’s actions, the woman reported the matter to police, leading to his arrest.
Online Reporter