Kwekwe prophet sentenced to jail for assaulting congregant
A self-proclaimed prophet from Kwekwe, Prophet Simabyu Shiri (35), has been handed a 12-month jail sentence by a Kwekwe Magistrate for assaulting a congregant. The prophet, known for his “spiritual tantrums,” made headlines after physically attacking an elderly female member of his congregation. The court found him guilty on one count of assault, while the remaining two charges were dismissed due to lack of evidence.
Magistrate Cheryl Tembo, in delivering the sentence, took into account Shiri’s guilty plea and acknowledged that he did not waste the court’s time. As a result, three months of the sentence were suspended for five years, and the remaining period was converted to 315 hours of community service.
The assault incident gained widespread attention after an audio recording of the attack went viral on social media. In his plea, Shiri admitted to unlawfully assaulting Ms Violet Ndleleni (54) due to allegations of spreading falsehoods about him. He expressed remorse for his actions and stated his willingness to compensate the victim for any medical expenses incurred.
Shiri was represented by Kwekwe lawyer Wisdom Mehlo, while the State was represented by Ms Ethel Bhumure.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability within religious communities and highlights the consequences of abusive behaviour, even within spiritual contexts.
