Harare – A self-styled prophet from Waterfalls has been arrested on allegations of raping and impregnating a 15-year-old student. Madzibaba Conilius Muza is accused of luring the teenager into his shrine in November last year, under the guise of performing a spiritual cleansing ritual.
According to reports, Madzibaba Conilius convinced the student that she had an object in her stomach that needed to be removed through sexual intercourse. The teenager subsequently fell pregnant. It is alleged that upon learning of the pregnancy, Madzibaba Conilius promised to marry her, in an attempt to silence her and prevent her from revealing the abuse to her parents.
The self-proclaimed prophet allegedly turned his Mercedes Benz into a mobile “love nest,” where he would sexually abuse the student every Tuesday. He would reportedly pick her up from school and spend the day with her.
The shocking abuse came to light when the student’s parents noticed unusual behaviour and she eventually disclosed her pregnancy and the rape.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the arrest. “Police arrested a Waterfalls church leader for rape,” he said. “He stands accused of raping and impregnating a girl aged 15 at his shrine. The accused person is expecting to appear in court tomorrow (today).”
Madzibaba Conilius’ shrine is located in Southlea Park, near Glenville Cemetery.
This is not an isolated incident, as another self-proclaimed prophet in Mutare has recently been sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for a similar crime.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the 44-year-old spiritual healer raped his neighbour in Dangamvura, Mutare, on April 16 last year, claiming it was part of a “healing ritual.”
The 46-year-old complainant was suffering from severe menstrual bleeding and sought the “prophet’s” help. After initial “treatment” with herbs, he later claimed evil spirits were tormenting her. On the 16th of April last year, the self-proclaimed prophet took the woman to a river near the Gimboki military barracks, where he raped her.
Believing it was part of the healing process, the complainant complied. However, her husband later discovered the assault and reported the matter to the police, leading to the fake prophet’s arrest.
The NPAZ said this case “exposes how predators exploit faith and desperation to commit abuse.” It also raises urgent questions about accountability for fake healers and the protection of vulnerable individuals.
