A self-proclaimed Chiredzi prophet was arrested after he inserted his fingers into the private parts of a 16-year-old girl during a cleansing process. The incident happened on 5 May 2021.
James Mutonhorera (51) of Village 7 Uswaushava, Triangle pleaded not guilty to indecent assault charges when he appeared before Masvingo Regional Magistrate Judith Zuyu recently. He was remanded in custody to 18 June.
Prosecutor Noel Muranda told the court that on the day of the incident, the so-called prophet and the victim were alone in a hut.
The minor’s parents and other siblings who accompanied her were sitting outside the hut when the supposed rituals were taking place.
Mutonhorera ordered the minor to remove her undergarments as he wanted to remove something from her v_gina.
He then sprinkled some water on her and she allegedly fell unconscious as the prophet was inserting fingers into her v_gina.
When the minor regained consciousness, her skirt was pulled up and she felt pain in her private parts.
Mutonhorera claimed he had removed three bones from the minor’s stomach, breast and back.
The attack came to light after the minor narrated her ordeal to her mother.