Farmer shoots prophet for casting spells and bad omen on him

A church leader is lucky to be alive after he was shot on his left hip by an enraged farmer who accused him of mysteriously casting spells and 'miraculously' bringing bad omen to his farming activities.

Anthony Guta (36), a farmer in Rusape recently had his tobacco barns mysteriously burnt. He attributed his farming misfortunes to the apostolic church.
He has since been arrested and is assisting police with investigations.

Police said Guta, on January 6 went to Plot 16, Wakefield Farm in Rusape and saw a Zambuko Rehupenyu Apostolic Church congregation conducting a church service.

"He called for Themba Ngundu (39) of Wakefield Farm Compound and accused the church members of throwing some cursed stones and charms that have been contributing to his poor farming expedition as well as mysterious happenings at the farm. He accused them of having a hand in his tobacco barns' mysterious burning," said Manicaland police spokesman, Inspector Enock Chishiri.

Guta allegedly demanded to see the church leader, who was identified as Prophet Lovemore Nyahaku.

"Nyahaku came and met Guta, who suddenly produced a pistol and shot him on the left hip before he drove his car and went away," he said.

Police arrested Guta and he is set to appear in court on attempted murder charges. The pistol used in the commission of the offence was recovered and will be produced in court as exhibit. Police have urged people not to misuse firearms.