Nashe Mahachi
MUTARE – A 50-year-old Sakubva white garment apostolic church self-proclaimed prophet will spend the next seven months behind bars for conning his clients.
Ernest Chabata of NHB Sakubva in Mutare was convicted of theft on his own plea of guilty by Mutare magistrate Lazarus Murendo and was charged with theft as defined in section 113 of Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, Chapter 9:23.
Chabata will serve an effective seven months jail term after three months were suspended on condition of good behavior with two more months set to be lifted if he pays back the US$160 he stole.
The court heard that Chabata approached Brian Jani’s wife and told her that he had a bad dream about the couple and it needed special prayers.
The couple agreed and a cleansing ceremony was held after the couple paid US$50 for it. Later on Chabata told the couple that he had seen another vision that threatens to wipe out the couple’s savings.
He then told the couple to bring to him all their money for a yet another cleansing session. Jani gave him US$160 which Chabata was supposed to cleanse overnight and bring it back but he instead went away and did not return.
A police report was made leading to his arrest.local
