Gruesome details emerge as Madzibaba Gathry testifies

Self-styled faith healer Madzibaba Gathry Chirodzero on Monday denied raping a minor as he and his wife, Diana Chauke, took the witness stand to present their defence in a case that has heard disturbing allegations involving alleged sexual abuse disguised as spiritual healing.

Chirodzero is charged with raping a minor, while Chauke (37) and the complainant's 45-year-old biological mother are charged as accomplices.

Giving evidence, Chirodzero maintained that he met the complainant's family through a neighbour who sought his spiritual assistance for the complainant's sister, whom he said was mentally disturbed.

He told the court that he performed healing rituals using a water plant known as garadziva, instructing the family to bathe with it on several occasions at his home.

However, prosecutor Tracy Mundanga challenged his version of events, alleging that he deliberately manipulated the family in order to isolate the complainant.

"You had a motive to make the brother insane because when he set foot at your house he was okay, and you made him mad," Mundanga told the court.

"The mother was surprised to hear that her son was insane. You made him mad in order to disarm the mother and her children so that you could rape the complainant."

She further accused Chirodzero of inventing his defence, telling the court that his explanation was a fabricated attempt to avoid responsibility.

Chirodzero denied the allegations, insisting that the family falsely accused him after failing to pay for the spiritual healing services he had provided to their daughter.

The complainant's mother, who is also on trial, questioned Chirodzero during the proceedings, alleging that he subjected her daughter to violent rituals before insisting that sexual intercourse was necessary for the healing of her siblings.

She alleged that Chirodzero initially instructed her to find another man to have sex with the child, but later insisted that he should perform the act himself, with Chauke allegedly supporting the proposal.

The mother further claimed Chirodzero threatened to kill her with a firearm after she refused to allow him access to her daughter, saying she eventually relented because she feared for her life.

She also alleged that Chauke agreed that the complainant should spend the night in the couple's matrimonial bedroom, where the alleged rape took place, while Chauke slept in another room.

Chirodzero denied all the allegations and told the court that he does not own a firearm.

Chauke also took the stand in her defence, denying any involvement in the alleged offences.

She testified that she slept in a separate room on the night in question because she was menstruating and, according to their religious beliefs, was considered unclean and therefore could not share a bed with her husband.

According to Chauke, her son came to the room where she was sleeping and told her that he had seen his father and the complainant in the bedroom. 

"When my son came to tell me, I went to the bedroom and found the complainant sleeping on her own." 

She told the court that she then offered the complainant fresh underwear, a move which prosecutor Ms Mundanga construed as an act to conceal evidence. Chauke denied this. 

"You didn't ask the child what had happened to her because you knew what had happened. You had sent her to that room and you are pulling your child into this case when you knew that you assisted your husband by taking the gun to threaten them," Ms Mundanga said. 

"You took the complainant to his lap, and you told her that she was now your husband's wife. 

"The following morning, when your husband wasn't done, he asked to do it again. When she refused, you were called in to make it happen, and you did as you were told. You made sure that she obliged, and she was raped for the second time," Ms Mundanga said. 

Chauke denied the allegations. The trial is expected to resume on July 30.