'Snake Cleansing' Prophet walks free in US$20k scam case

A self-styled prophet accused of masterminding an elaborate "snake cleansing" scam that allegedly cost a retired bank manager more than US$20 000 and three vehicles has been acquitted of fraud charges.

Lenon Chidarikire, popularly known as Madzibaba Lenon Chidarikire, was facing four counts of fraud. He walked free on Thursday after Bulawayo magistrate Themba Chimiso ruled that the State had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Chidarikire was represented by Mr Simbarashe Innocent Madzivire of Mashayamombe Company and Attorneys.

In his ruling, Mr Chimiso said there was no evidence that Chidarikire misrepresented himself to the complainant, Ms Innocencia Sekani, by falsely claiming to be registered with the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association or by presenting himself as someone capable of removing snakes from her home.

The magistrate noted that during trial, Ms Sekani consistently referred to the accused as "Madzibaba Chidarikire," indicating that she understood him to be a prophet who prays for people.

"The complainant did not hand the money to the accused but handed it to Madzibaba Mushore and Michael. She also told this court that she threw some of the money into a river after she was instructed to do so by Madzibaba Mushonga," ruled Mr Chimiso.

In acquitting Chidarikire, the court found that the evidence presented did not establish criminal misrepresentation or direct receipt of the funds by the accused.

Prosecutor Mr Samuel Mpofu had told the court that the alleged scheme began on March 22 last year when Chidarikire and an accomplice, Madzibaba Michael, reportedly visited Ms Sekani's home and performed rituals, claiming to have removed two snakes from the house.

Terrified, Ms Sekani was allegedly told to pay US$3 000 within two hours to avert unspecified spiritual consequences, which she did.

On March 28, the court heard, Chidarikire allegedly returned, claiming he had received a spiritual message from another prophet, Madzibaba Mushore, instructing Ms Sekani to visit a shrine in Norton.

She travelled there accompanied by her daughter and the daughter's boyfriend. At the shrine, she was allegedly instructed to sell her Mazda Demio, which she sold for US$2 200. Chidarikire signed the agreement of sale as a witness.

On May 14, the accused allegedly returned and claimed to have removed another snake from the house, demanding US$250 and a Toyota Aqua as payment for cleansing rituals. Ms Sekani allegedly complied.

On June 24, she was reportedly summoned again to the shrine and warned that evil spirits were targeting her daughter. She paid a US$20 consultation fee and US$300 for cleansing.

Chidarikire allegedly instructed her to bring her Toyota Hilux, claiming it harboured an evil spirit. She was told to sell the vehicle within two hours to a buyer he identified for US$9 500. After handing over the money, she was allegedly told an additional US$500 was required because the cash was "contaminated with evil spirits."

The court further heard that at one point, Ms Sekani and her daughter were instructed to throw money into the Umguza River as part of rituals, believing it would appease spirits. It was alleged that someone would later retrieve the cash from beneath a bridge.

By the time she reported the matter, Ms Sekani had allegedly lost US$20 700 and three vehicles. Only the Mazda Demio was later recovered.

However, the court ultimately ruled that the prosecution had not established that Chidarikire personally received the funds or made false representations amounting to fraud, resulting in his acquittal.