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Leonard Ncube Senior Court Reporter
A RAPIST claimed a prophet instructed him to have sex with a “pure” girl to exorcise evil spirits.
Bongani Ndlovu, 29, a garden boy in Bulawayo’s Montrose suburb, appeared in court accused of raping a six-year-old girl.
He told a magistrate an unnamed prophet prophesied that he was failing to attract a woman because of evil spirits and he would get one if he deflowered a virgin.

Ndlovu allegedly raped the girl from Bazha area in Matobo district on January 7, this year.
He, however, could not provide the court with the name of the said prophet when Bulawayo regional magistrate Mark Dzira quizzed him.
The magistrate had to cite a quotation from scriptures, hitting back at Ndlovu as he sentenced him to 16 years in jail.

“You said you were advised by a prophet to sleep with a minor girl. Don’t lie against prophets. Your conscience should have told you that was wrong,” Dzira blasted.

“Even Prophet Jeremiah warns against false prophets who come in God’s name. If a prophet gives you false advice you should be wary because a true prophet would pray with you.”

Dzira expressed concern on the prevalence of cases of sexual abuse against minors, saying the judiciary had a duty to protect victims. “Cases of child abuse are on the rise and that is worrying. Courts must be seen protecting such victims,” he said.

Dzira urged mothers not to entrust their daughters to any man as every man was a potential rapist.
He took a swipe at the victim’s mother for leaving her in the custody of Ndlovu. “The court also blames the mother of the victim for entrusting her child to the accused knowing that he was using one room. Women are encouraged not to trust any men and should not leave their children with them,” he said.

Ndlovu will serve an effective 13 years after three years were conditionally suspended.
Prosecuting, Tinashe Dzipe proved that on January 7, Ndlovu was left in custody of the victim as her mother went to attend a funeral in the same village.

“The complainant’s mother returned and found her still awake, which was unusual leading to her questioning the girl and she revealed that she had been raped,” said the prosecutor.

It is said Ndlovu bolted out of the bedroom hut after the victim spilled the beans and the mother upon investigating, found that there was semen around her privates.

A report was made to the police leading to Ndlovu’s arrest.