'Prophet' jailed 15 years for rape

A SELF-PROCLAIMED prophet from Beitbridge has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of raping his brother's 18-year-old stepdaughter.

The 52-year-old man, whose identity has been withheld to protect the survivor's privacy, was convicted and sentenced by Beitbridge Regional Magistrate Charity Maphosa last Thursday.

The offence occurred on May 26, 2026.

According to evidence presented in court, the complainant was at home when the accused called her and told her he wanted to conduct prayers that would help her learn about her biological father, whom she had never known.

The man instructed the teenager to accompany him to the Mzingwane River, where he claimed the prayers would take place.

Once there, he directed her to assist with preparations for the purported prayer ritual before sexually assaulting her.

The survivor screamed for help, attracting the attention of a nearby villager who rushed to the scene. The accused fled, while the complainant later reported the matter to the police.

The suspect was subsequently arrested, prosecuted and found guilty.

Regional Magistrate Maphosa sentenced him to 15 years' imprisonment.

Olivia Chamutinya prosecuted the case.