adminTanaka Mrewa, Court Reporter
A SELF-proclaimed prophet from Bulawayo allegedly raped a minor (15) from his church and bought her silence with a 50 cent bond coin.
Artson Chikovore (17) of Rusununguro Church was not asked to plead to a rape charge when he appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Miss Tancy Dube.
He was remanded in custody to July 21.
Prosecuting, Miss Magret Takawira said on June 20, Chikovore “prophesied” to the victim’s mother that her daughter had a stomach problem and it needed prayers.
“The following day the accused person went to the victim’s house. She was in the company of her father. The accused person asked the father to buy milk for the prayers,” said Miss Takawira.
“The accused person lured the complainant to a house next door where the accused person’s aunt stays. He told her he wanted her to help him carry his belongings. When they got there the accused person stripped himself and removed the complainant’s skirt, skin tight and panties. He raped her once and gave her $0.50.”
In her warned and cautioned statement, the victim said she did not tell anyone about the incident until two weeks later when her mother quizzed her.
“My mother beat me severely after asking why I had become moody. She asked me what had changed me. I told her the whole story. She tried calling the prophet but could not get hold of him. She reported the matter to the police,” said the girl.
Online Reporter