Self-styled prophet applies vaseline on teen cousin's privates, rapes her

A self-styled Binga prophet who raped his female cousin after claiming that he had been inspired to apply Vaseline on her privates during a prayer session, has been sentenced to 15 years in jail.

Prosecutors say Enock Boy Muchimba, 27, of Chingobwe village under Chief Chinamsanga forced himself onto his 19-year-old cousin during a prayer session purporting be exorcising evil spirits and promised to give her fish to buy her silence.

Muchimba pleaded not guilty to rape and three aggravated indecent assault charges before Hwange regional magistrate, Dambudzo Malunga but was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He will serve an effective 12 years in prison after three years of the sentence were suspended on the usual conditions. "You took advantage of the prayer session to rape her. The court has an obligation to protect women like her by sending a strong message to deter like-minded prophets," said Malunga.

Prosecuting, Tawanda Sigauke, said on January 13 this year at about 11AM Muchimba told Muleya of the same village that she was possessed by evil spirits. He then advised her to bring Vaseline to the holy cleansing prayer at his homestead.

Sigauke said two days later at about 9AM Muleya went to Muchimba's homestead with the Vaseline and was directed to go to a nearby bushy area for prayer and she complied. "At the time Muchimba was following her holding the ‘holy Vaseline'. He ordered Muleya to lift up her blouse upon arrival and began smearing the jelly on her naked breasts and waist," said Sigauke.

"Muchimba told her to remove her underwear and lie down facing the sky before applying the Vaseline on his forefinger and her privates three times."

Sigauke said Muchimba repeatedly asked her if she had anyone to push the Vaseline at the furthest end of her womb as his finger was short. "He lowered his blue shorts to knee level and raped her once," said the prosecutor.

Muchimba allegedly offered fish to buy her silence but she reported the rape to her husband who subsequently reported to the police.