Cuthbert Dube jailed for rape

A self-styled prophet from Nkayi, Cuthbert Dube, was yesterday sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for raping a woman in a church building at knife point.

He raped the woman minutes after prophesying on her and was arrested the next day at his shrine while helping other women.

Dube had pleaded not guilty to the rape charge and told the court he travelled outside the village on the day he is said to have committed the crime.

The woman took to the stand as the first State witness and told the court that Dube followed her on a small pathway leading to the Agape Church.

Dube forced her to lie down and undressed her. "He raped me once and told me to continue on my journey. When I got home I notified my sister-in-law," she said.

Dube asked her why she stopped and listened to a prophecy from someone she did not know, to the amusement of the court.

Another witness told the court that Dube was caught while prophesying on a number of women.

Dube maintained that he did not know any of the witnesses and denied prophesying on anyone.

Trust Muduma, for the state, told the court that on March 24 at around 12noon, the woman went to Tsheli Business Centre to purchase phone recharge cards. He said on her way, she met Dube who grabbed her and produced a knife threatening to stab her if she made any noise.

Dube, Muduma said, dragged her into the church and raped her once.

The woman reported the matter to police the following day and was referred to hospital for medical examination.