Prophet murders rival suitor

A Chivhu-based self-styled prophet of the Johane Masowe YeChishanu sect has appeared at the High Court on allegations of murdering his girlfriend's lover.

Benard Redzo, who operates at Nharira Business Centre since 2007 appeared before Justice Garainesu Mawadze answering to charges of murdering Aaron Magomo in 2010.

Redzo fell in love with Keresencia Mucharwa, who was the deceased's lover and a member of his church in April 2010.

0n the 23rd of April 2010 in the afternoon, he pronounced before his church that the Holy Spirit had instructed him to divorce his wife Rumbidzai Gandiwa and that if she were to proceed to their matrimonial home she would die.

After the accused divorced his wife, Keresencia Mucharwa came to the shrine with her boyfriend, the now deceased, seeking blessings for their union. Redzo reportedly refused to bless the affair.

In the evening, the deceased, who could not accept being spurned by Mucharwa, who had found out he was already married, went to her employee's place and confronted her leading into a physical fight.

The accused teamed up with Mucharwa assaulting the deceased with an iron bar all over the body resulting in his death.

The following morning the accused coaxed his assistant and interpreter David Muganhu into confessing to the police that he had murdered the deceased so that the self-styled prophet would have time to vigil and summon spiritual [powers for the case to disappear.

David Muganhu fell into the trap and went to the police confessing.

The true circumstances surrounding the murder came to light after Muganhu' s time facing the rigours of prison with no intervention from the so-called spiritual powers led him to spill the beans leading to the accused's arrest.

His girlfriend Mucharwa was convicted and is already serving her sentence for her role in the deceased's murder.