'Killer prophets' in court for murder

TWO self-proclaimed Bulawayo prophets allegedly ganged up and strangled their client, a police Assistant Inspector, in a bushy area where they had taken him to "cleanse him of evil spirits" before robbing him of a car, $200, a laptop and two smart phones, a High Court judge heard yesterday.

According to local media, Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Francis Bere heard this when Patrick Matikiti (26) of Sauerstown and Assurance Moyo (23) of Lobengula West appeared before him charged with the murder of Nhlalo Ndlovu in December 2014.

The pair allegedly robbed him of $200, a laptop, two smart phones and his car, a Toyota Noah which they later sold in Harare.

It is alleged that on December 10, 2014, shortly after 6.30PM, Matikiti and Moyo were approached by Ndlovu who sought to be cleansed of evil spirits that were allegedly haunting him.

Ndlovu had just arrived from Lupane where he was studying midwifery at St Luke's Hospital.

Matikiti and Moyo asked Ndlovu to drive to Khami Dam where upon arrival they disembarked before they led him to a nearby bush where they purportedly intended to conduct a cleansing ceremony to drive away the evil spirits.

The two men manhandled the cop and choked him using a piece of cloth from their garments.

They robbed him of $200, a Toshiba laptop, two smart phones, his police ID card and car and left his body in the bush. The two drove to Harare where they sold the car.

The trial continues today.