Sangoma 'kidnaps, sexually assaults' girl (12)

A 52-year-old Sangoma in Mashonaland East province is accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a girl for 10 years.

Allegations are that Jekesa Navhaya (50) took a minor when she was 12 years old ten years ago claiming that he wanted to remove goblins from her but later took her as his wife.

The girl who is now 22 years old told the media that she was sent to Navhaya when she was sick 10 years ago and Navhaya grabbed the chance to sexually abuse her telling her she was a wife of the ancestors.

I was brought by my parents when I was twelve years old and the sangoma abuses me sexually saying I belong to his ancestors.

I leave in captivity and everyday I am dosed with different herbs, she is quoted saying.

However Navhaya denied abusing the girl instead he claims the girl proposed love to him.

"This girl proposed love to me and I accepted so you cannot allege that I abused her but we are in love," he said.

Meanwhile, the parents of the girl supported by the church had to use maximum force to get their daughter back.
Mashonaland East police said they are yet to receive that case.