In Zimbabwe, a self-proclaimed prophet who goes by the name Ishmael is facing charges in court following a police raid on the compound where he led a religious sect. The raid uncovered a disturbing situation where over 250 children were found being deprived of education and exploited for cheap labor.
During the raid, authorities also uncovered 16 unregistered graves, including those of seven infants, at a farm located approximately 34 kilometers northwest of the capital city, Harare. Ishmael Chokurongerwa and seven of his associates were charged with exploiting children, denying them access to essential services like education and healthcare, and violating laws pertaining to the registration of deaths and burials. Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi stated that investigations are ongoing, and additional charges may be brought against the accused.
The sect leaders, including Chokurongerwa, were denied bail at their court hearing, with the magistrate postponing a decision on their bail application until the following week. None of the accused had legal representation during the hearing, and their whereabouts while in custody remained undisclosed.
Despite their pleas for release on bail, asserting that they were not violent individuals and had familial responsibilities, the magistrate ruled otherwise. However, supporters of Chokurongerwa, including members of his sect, gathered at the courthouse to express solidarity and faith in their religion, rejecting any notion of fear or intimidation.
The police operation on the farm involved armed officers accompanied by tear gas and dogs, reflecting the seriousness of the situation. Subsequent visits by authorities, this time with social workers, led to the relocation of children and women, many with infants, to a shelter via buses.
The sect, identified as one of Zimbabwe’s numerous Apostolic Christian groups, is characterized by its adherents’ distinctive attire of long white robes, with women and girls also wearing white headscarves. These groups often blend traditional beliefs with Pentecostal doctrine, with some adherents adopting reclusive lifestyles, rejecting modern medicine, keeping children out of school, and practicing polygamy.
