Gweru ‘prophet’ jailed 30 years for rape

Gweru, (New Ziana) – A 60-year old self-proclaimed Gweru prophet has been jailed for 30 years for raping a 31 year old woman and attempting to also sexually abuse her 10 year old daughter.

Webster Maposa, of plot 52 Summerset in Gweru, pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape as defined in Section 65 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9.23 when he appeared before Gweru regional magistrate, Phathekile Msipa.

But he was convicted of the crime, and sentenced to 30 years in prison, five of which were suspended on condition of good behaviour.

In his vain defense, Maposa told the court that he had an extra marital affair with the complainant, and therefore they had consensual sex.

But he denied sexually abusing the woman’s daughter.

Prosecutor Kelvin Guvheya told the court that on December 25 2019, Maposa offered to take the woman and her daughter to another prophet for possible treatment of her mental illness.

He offered them overnight accommodation, on the eve of departure, but raped the woman twice that same night, claiming it was under the direction of a spirit, and part of the treatment.

He raped the woman while she was unconscious after knocking her down with an iron bar when she resisted his sexual advances, and tried to escape.
Later he attempted to sexually abuse the daughter as well.

After the woman re-gained consciousness, Maposa threw her and her daughter out of the house.

The two later reported the crime to the police, leading to Maposa’s arrest.
New Ziana