News / National
Self-styled 'Prophet' rapes teen
21 Dec 2015 at 04:09hrs | Views
A self-styled prophet from Zvishavane raped a 19-year-old girl for 20 days in a bush, claiming he was cleansing her of an ancient and evil tikoloshe.
Lambert Tadyanago, 41, impregnated the teen in the process, forcing her to drop out of school. Tadyanago from Hweneki Village under Chief Masunda in Zvishavane claimed the woman was hounded by an evil tikoloshe that was causing her to suffer severe period pains.
Gweru Regional Magistrate Collet Ncube convicted Tadyanago of several counts of rape and jailed him for 34 years.
"What you committed is a serious offence that attracts a lengthy custodial sentence. You took advantage of this girl who has a very strong belief in prophets," said Ncube.
"The girl also fell pregnant and dropped out of school which isn't fair. However, you were very fortunate that the State didn't ascertain the number of times you raped this girl.
"You've been sentenced to 34 years in prison, of which four years are suspended on condition you do not commit a similar offence in the next five years," said Ncube.
The magistrate decried the increase in cases of people using religion to abuse others. He said women should read such stories and learn from them to avoid being victims.
Prosecuting, Andrew Marimo told the court that on August 2 this year, the complainant went to Tadyanago's church, Glory of God. He said the girl was complaining of period pains.
Tadyanago, the court heard, told her he had a remedy for the spirit of a tikoloshe that was making her sick.
The court heard that the next day around 5AM, Tadyanago went to girl's house and asked for permission from her father to take her for healing sessions.
"They arrived at Lubongo area, during the night and Tadyanago told the complainant that they should sleep in the bush as the spirit of God didn't allow him to sleep in villagers' houses," said Marimo.
Tadyanago, the court heard, told the woman that he had to be intimate with her to destroy the tikoloshe.
Marimo said the prophet lifted the woman's skirt, removed her panties and raped her.
The court heard that from August 3 to September 1 Tadyanago kept the girl in the bush where he raped her serveral times.
Marimo said on September 1, Tadyanago brought back the girl to her parents where she reported her ordeal, leading to his arrest.
Lambert Tadyanago, 41, impregnated the teen in the process, forcing her to drop out of school. Tadyanago from Hweneki Village under Chief Masunda in Zvishavane claimed the woman was hounded by an evil tikoloshe that was causing her to suffer severe period pains.
Gweru Regional Magistrate Collet Ncube convicted Tadyanago of several counts of rape and jailed him for 34 years.
"What you committed is a serious offence that attracts a lengthy custodial sentence. You took advantage of this girl who has a very strong belief in prophets," said Ncube.
"The girl also fell pregnant and dropped out of school which isn't fair. However, you were very fortunate that the State didn't ascertain the number of times you raped this girl.
"You've been sentenced to 34 years in prison, of which four years are suspended on condition you do not commit a similar offence in the next five years," said Ncube.
The magistrate decried the increase in cases of people using religion to abuse others. He said women should read such stories and learn from them to avoid being victims.
Tadyanago, the court heard, told her he had a remedy for the spirit of a tikoloshe that was making her sick.
The court heard that the next day around 5AM, Tadyanago went to girl's house and asked for permission from her father to take her for healing sessions.
"They arrived at Lubongo area, during the night and Tadyanago told the complainant that they should sleep in the bush as the spirit of God didn't allow him to sleep in villagers' houses," said Marimo.
Tadyanago, the court heard, told the woman that he had to be intimate with her to destroy the tikoloshe.
Marimo said the prophet lifted the woman's skirt, removed her panties and raped her.
The court heard that from August 3 to September 1 Tadyanago kept the girl in the bush where he raped her serveral times.
Marimo said on September 1, Tadyanago brought back the girl to her parents where she reported her ordeal, leading to his arrest.
Source - Chronicle
