A self-styled prophet, Njabulo Hove (19), hailing from Bulawayo’s Makokoba suburb, has appeared in court facing a rape charge after allegedly ƨǝxuɑlly attacking a sick woman during a cleansing session at his residence.
Hove appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Collet Ncube, where he was remanded in custody until 22 November. The magistrate advised him to seek bail at the High Court.
According to reports, on 19 October around 3pm, Hove visited the home of a 26-year-old woman. In the presence of the victim and her family, he entered a trance and prophesied that the woman was afflicted with a strange ailment. Coincidentally, the victim had been experiencing unusual sensations in her stomach due to an unknown illness.
The court heard that Hove informed the victim she was suffering from cancer, all while speaking in tongues. Capitalizing on her vulnerability, Hove convinced the unsuspecting victim that she needed a cleansing ritual. He demanded US$41 to purchase herbs for the process, which the woman provided. They then travelled to Cowdray Park suburb and returned later in the evening.
Upon their return, Hove asked the woman to accompany him to his house in Makokoba suburb to collect a different set of herbs. However, upon reaching his residence, Hove led the woman to his bedroom. While in a trance, he informed her that he would cleanse her through ƨǝxuɑl intǝrcourse. He demanded she undress and proceeded to ƨǝxuɑlly assault her. The following day, the victim returned home and disclosed the harrowing incident to her concerned mother, revealing that she had spent the night at Hove’s house and had been allegedly raped.
Subsequently, the incident was reported to the police, leading to Hove’s arrest.
