'Prophet' nabbed for killing client

A BULAWAYO man died after allegedly drinking a poisonous concoction he got from a self-proclaimed prophet whom he had consulted in a bid to cure an undisclosed ailment, a magistrate heard yesterday.

Kilason Tshuma (42) died shortly after allegedly drinking the ‘cleansing' concoction administered to him by the prophet, Emmanuel Nyoni (29) belonging to an unnamed Apostolic sect.

Nyoni of Killarney suburb appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate, Mr Collet Ncube facing a culpable homicide charge in connection with Tshuma's death.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded in custody to September 7 for trial.

Prosecuting, Mr Joseph Rugara said on Monday at around 9am, Tshuma approached Nyoni for spiritual healing.

The self-proclaimed prophet allegedly took the deceased to his shrine near Killarney squatter camp where he intended to conduct the cleansing session.

The court was told that upon arrival, Nyoni administered the poisonous substance to Tshuma.

"The accused gave the deceased the concoction to drink and soon after consuming the substance, Tshuma started vomiting before he collapsed and died on the spot. Nyoni then took the deceased's car, a Toyota Runx, and drove out of the shrine," said Mr Rugara.

The court heard that Nyoni was involved in an accident, a few metres away from the scene.

"Nyoni was spotted by a passerby reversing the deceased's car and speeding off the crime scene.

"He turned right into Bulawayo Drive where he got involved in an accident while fleeing," said Mr Rugara.

Nyoni was arrested following police investigations and he led detectives to the scene where the deceased's body was found lying on the ground.

Upon being searched police found a bottle containing the concoction which was similar to the residue of the substance administered to Tshuma.

Nyoni was also found in possession of the deceased's cell phone and wallet containing Tshuma's identity documents.