Prophet jailed for kidnapping 14-year-old girl

Zim Now Writer

Chipinge magistrate Alfred Chinembiri jailed a self-proclaimed prophet to a year in jail for kidnapping a 14-year-old girl, holding her hostage at his shrine and house.

Lawrence Dhukuza, 35, of Christ Life Church and his aide, Philip Masererese, 19, but the latter was acquitted.

Prosecutor Delia Khataziye told the court that on March 11, the girl went to Dhukuza’s shrine with other relatives to visit her brother who was going through a cleansing process since he was ill.

On arrival, Dhukuza told the girl’s relatives that she was possessed by evil spirits and he wanted to pray for her, leading to the minor being left at the shrine when the relatives returned home.

When the girl’s mother heard what had happened she went to the shrine with the intention of getting her child but Dhukuza refused to hand her over, telling the mother that her daughter was going through a cleansing ceremony.

Dhukuza reportedly later took the girl to his homestead where he locked her up in a room, prompting her mother report the matter to the police, which led to his arrest.

Dhukuza argued in his defence that he was only helping the minor.