Chitungwiza – A pastor from Tabernacle of Power Ministries in Chitungwiza, Tendai Tinodiwanashe Mashongashika, 36, popularly known as Prophet Tino, has been brought before the Chitungwiza Magistrate’s Court on allegations of raping a 14-year-old member of his congregation.
The alleged incident occurred on January 12th of this year, following a church service held at Mashongashika’s home, located at number 2043 Unit A, Chitungwiza. According to court documents, the complainant attended the service and, after its conclusion, was instructed by the youth chair lady to remain behind and arrange the chairs.
It is alleged that Mashongashika then forcibly grabbed the girl’s hand and raped her once in his bedroom. Following the alleged assault, he reportedly provided the teenager with a cloth to clean the blood and escorted her to her grandmother’s residence. Before leaving, he is said to have prayed for her.
The victim initially kept the alleged rape a secret, stating that she was following Mashongashika’s instructions not to disclose the incident to anyone. “He told me that even if I tell anyone about the act nobody will believe me because he is a pastor,” she said in her statement.
The situation took another turn on January 13th, when Mashongashika allegedly met with the complainant at around 6 am and provided her with morning-after pills, along with instructions on how to take them.
The alleged rape only came to light on January 30th when the complainant’s grandmother discovered WhatsApp messages on her granddaughter’s phone between the teenager and Mashongashika. These messages reportedly contained professions of love from the pastor to the young girl. The grandmother also found evidence that her granddaughter had been researching morning-after pills and abortion procedures.
After confronting her granddaughter, the teenager initially remained silent about the rape. However, after her grandmother alerted her aunt, the teenager finally disclosed the alleged abuse she had suffered at the hands of Mashongashika.
A medical report has been submitted to the court as evidence in the case. The case is ongoing before the Chitungwiza Magistrate’s Court.
