Prophet tricks couple to separate, rapes the wife

A self-styled prophet from Chitungwiza who allegedly tricked a couple into separation before raping the wife is now facing rape charges.

The man threatened to unleash his spiritual powers and make the woman mad if she reported the matter to anyone.

Chitungwiza magistrate Ms Olivia Mariga denied Emmanuel Musonza (38) bail and remanded him to July 28.

Prosecutor Mr Henry Muringani said on June 22 this year at around 7am Musonza who stays at Chibaya Village in Seke was approached by the woman and her husband.

The two wanted assistance in the form of prayers to mend their relationship that was in trouble.

Musonza is alleged to have prophesied and told them that it was no longer reconcilable and there was need for them to separate.

It is further alleged that he told them that if they continued staying together, the complainant's husband would die.

Musonza then went to the couple's house in Unit M in Chitungwiza and facilitated the separation and sharing of property.

He told the complainant that the holy spirit had told him that the complainant was not supposed to go back to her parent's home.

Instead, he drove her to Chitehwe Village in Seke where he gave the woman a room to sleep for the night as he promised to offer her prayers the following day.

At around 1am, Musonza reportedly returned to the room where the woman was and pushed the door open. He jumped into the blankets and gagged her before raping her.

Musonza threatened to use his supernatural powers to make the woman mad if she revealed the matter. The complainant narrated her ordeal to her husband and the matter was reported to the police.