Bulawayo – A 21-year-old man, Solomon Zireva, who identifies himself as a Johane Masowe prophet, has been arrested and charged with the rape of a 19-year-old woman. The incident highlights a growing concern regarding the exploitation of vulnerable individuals under the guise of religious practices.
Bulawayo police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube, confirmed the arrest and provided details of the alleged crime. The incident occurred on October 10th, 2024, at approximately 5 am. The 19-year-old victim, also from Gwabalanda, Bulawayo, visited Zireva’s residence to deliver a white cloth for a cleansing ritual.
According to Inspector Ncube, “On the 10th of October 2024, around 5 am, the complainant, a 19-year-old woman from Gwabalanda, Bulawayo, visited the accused’s residence to deliver a white cloth intended for use in a cleansing ritual. Upon arrival, the prophet informed her that they should proceed to his shrine for the cleansing.”
Zireva allegedly led the victim to a secluded area near his shrine in Magwegwe North. There, he instructed her to kneel and pray, then to spread the white cloth on the ground, lie on it face up, and pray with her eyes closed. It was at this point that the alleged assault took place.
Inspector Ncube detailed the alleged attack, stating: “He then instructed her to spread the white cloth on the ground, lie on top of it facing upwards, and pray with her eyes closed. Zireva then removed the complainant’s underwear and raped her twice without protection. After the assault, he released the complainant and told her to go home.”
The victim initially did not report the incident, but eventually filed a police report on October 21st, 2024. This report led to Zireva’s arrest and subsequent charges. The case underscores the vulnerability of individuals seeking spiritual guidance and the importance of caution when engaging with self-proclaimed religious figures.
Inspector Ncube expressed serious concerns about the abuse of faith for criminal purposes. He stated: “We urge churches to promote spiritual understanding so that people realize that God can hear their prayers without the need for intermediaries like self-proclaimed prophets. Beyond rape cases, the public often loses their hard-earned money while seeking spiritual intervention that they may not fully understand.”
He further emphasised the broader implications of such crimes, stating: “The accused has damaged the reputation of both the church and its teachings, but he will appear in court soon.”
