Online Reporter
Freedom Mupanedemo
Midlands Bureau
A 45-year-old traditional healer, Innocent Chikovo, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of drugging and repeatedly raping a young woman who sought spiritual assistance from him.
Chikovo from Heydon Village 3 in Chinu, near Mvuma in Chirumhanzu District, appeared before Gweru Regional Magistrate Mrs Sibongile Marondedze, facing one count of rape.
He was convicted despite pleading not guilty.
Mrs Marondedze found him guilty following a full trial.
In his defence, Chikovo claimed he had engaged in consensual sexual encounters with the 22-year-old complainant.
However, Mrs Marondedze dismissed his defence as hollow and unconvincing. She noted that while he did not deny having sexual relations with the complainant, he merely insisted it was consensual.
“If that was so, what was the purpose of administering concoctions that rendered her weak?” she asked. Consequently, the magistrate ruled that Chikovo was guilty of rape and sentenced him to 15 years in prison.
The prosecution, led by Ms Eggrina Matutu, presented evidence that the complainant, whose name has been withheld to protect her identity, first visited Chikovo in August 2023 with her mother for spiritual assistance and returned in January 2024. The court heard that after the complainant fell ill from the concoctions administered by Chikovo, she was left in his care. He claimed that sexual intercourse was part of the “healing process”.
Chikovo would give her herbal mixtures that made her weak and dizzy before taking her into nearby bushes where he had unprotected sex with her, without her consent.
This pattern of abuse occurred over several months, during which the complainant was afraid to report the incidents due to her living situation at Chikovo’s homestead.
She finally confided in her mother while in Harare and reported the matter to the police on May 28, 2024. The complainant was referred to Parirenyatwa Hospital for examination, leading to Chikovo’s arrest.
