News / Religion
Prophets impregnate schoolgirls using money and the name of God
03 Mar 2013 at 07:24hrs | Views
A GROUP of self-styled prophets reportedly impregnated about nine underage schoolgirls in the Nhwali area of Gwanda using money and the name of God, a situation that has left the community both shocked and bitter with the men of the cloth.
The juveniles are allegedly lured to the Apostolic sect's night meetings using the name of Jesus Christ but instead of getting salvation, the gullible girls are allegedly raped by the prophets.
Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson, Sergeant Nkosilathi Sibanda could neither confirm nor dismiss the report.
"It has not come to light to us yet. We will investigate to see if such a thing happened. We are currently attending a workshop in Harare, so for now I cannot say anything," he said. The sect leaders reportedly always visit the area ostensibly to spread the gospel of God. They were last in the area three weeks ago.
The prophets are said to have so much influence in the township that few dare to challenge them.
In an interview, with a Sunday News crew that visited the area, Mr Setha Magabo a resident of Nhwali, claimed that most of the children were impregnated at "all-night prayer meetings" that are always being held by the prophets who claim to be guided by the spirit of God.
"I know most of the youths who go to the church. They go to worship for at least two days praying in the bush. Many school-going children come out of that church pregnant. These are school-going children and nothing has been done about it," said Mr Magabo.
The village head, Mr Alfred Mdlongwa, confirmed the abuse of the children and said the prophets had been made to pay 10 goats to each of the girls' parents as damages instead of reporting the culprits to the police for statutory rape.
"It is true that there are such incidents happening within the community and there are at least four school-going children that I can confirm as currently pregnant. It is something that is worrying most residents and police reports were made although there are no arrests as yet. These prophets paid livestock in the form of 10 goats to affected families," he said.
The village head said of the pregnant girls, two were 15 years old, one 14 and the other 16. It is understood that five more girls were also victims but their parents have kept the matter under wraps. Some of the pregnant girls are still attending school as the authorities are not aware.
Sunday News traced the families of four of the girls but the parents hid them from the news crew. They were so evasive and secretive about the sad matter.
The juveniles are allegedly lured to the Apostolic sect's night meetings using the name of Jesus Christ but instead of getting salvation, the gullible girls are allegedly raped by the prophets.
Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson, Sergeant Nkosilathi Sibanda could neither confirm nor dismiss the report.
"It has not come to light to us yet. We will investigate to see if such a thing happened. We are currently attending a workshop in Harare, so for now I cannot say anything," he said. The sect leaders reportedly always visit the area ostensibly to spread the gospel of God. They were last in the area three weeks ago.
The prophets are said to have so much influence in the township that few dare to challenge them.
"I know most of the youths who go to the church. They go to worship for at least two days praying in the bush. Many school-going children come out of that church pregnant. These are school-going children and nothing has been done about it," said Mr Magabo.
The village head, Mr Alfred Mdlongwa, confirmed the abuse of the children and said the prophets had been made to pay 10 goats to each of the girls' parents as damages instead of reporting the culprits to the police for statutory rape.
"It is true that there are such incidents happening within the community and there are at least four school-going children that I can confirm as currently pregnant. It is something that is worrying most residents and police reports were made although there are no arrests as yet. These prophets paid livestock in the form of 10 goats to affected families," he said.
The village head said of the pregnant girls, two were 15 years old, one 14 and the other 16. It is understood that five more girls were also victims but their parents have kept the matter under wraps. Some of the pregnant girls are still attending school as the authorities are not aware.
Sunday News traced the families of four of the girls but the parents hid them from the news crew. They were so evasive and secretive about the sad matter.
Source - SN
