Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-03-15 06:55:47
Zimbabwean police made a shocking discovery when they arrested Ishmael Chokurongerwa, a 56-year-old self-proclaimed prophet of an apostolic sect, at a shrine located on a farm about 34 kilometers northwest of Harare. Within the compound, authorities found 16 unregistered graves, including those of infants, as well as more than 250 children who were being exploited as cheap labor by the sect’s leadership.
According to police spokesman Paul Nyathi, Chokurongerwa led a sect with over 1,000 members, with the children living alongside other believers. These children, ranging from infants to school-going age, were not attending formal education and were instead being used for physical labor under the guise of teaching them life skills. Out of the 251 children discovered, 246 did not have birth certificates.
During a raid on the shrine, police officers also apprehended seven of Chokurongerwa’s aides for their involvement in criminal activities, including the abuse of minors. Nyathi mentioned that further details would be disclosed as the investigations progressed.
The state-run tabloid, H-Metro, captured the chaotic scene during the police raid, where officers clashed with female believers in white garments demanding the return of the children taken away by the authorities. Despite the believers’ protests, the police continued their operation, leading to the arrest of Chokurongerwa and his associates.
An aide of Chokurongerwa interviewed by H-Metro defended their actions by claiming that their beliefs were directly from God and went against formal education, as instructed by Him. This belief system, common among Apostolic groups in Zimbabwe, often rejects mainstream education and medical care, relying solely on prayer and faith for healing.
While there have been limited studies on Apostolic churches in Zimbabwe, it is estimated that around 2.5 million people follow this denomination in a country of 15 million. Some Apostolic groups have started to allow members to seek medical treatment and education, following pressure from government and non-governmental organizations.
This incident in Zimbabwe is not isolated, as similar cases have been reported in other countries. In Kenya, a pastor named Paul Mackenzie was arrested in 2003 for allegedly forcing his congregants to starve to death in preparation to meet Jesus. The pastor and over 90 members of his doomsday cult were charged with various crimes, including murder, cruelty, and child torture in relation to the deaths of 429 individuals associated with the church.
The shocking discovery at Chokurongerwa’s shrine highlights the prevalence of exploitation and abuse within certain religious sects, shedding light on the need for stricter regulations and oversight to protect vulnerable members, especially children. The authorities in Zimbabwe are expected to continue their investigations into this disturbing case to hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions.
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