Madzibaba abandons church shrine after rape on follower
Self-proclaimed prophet took off victim's underwear during private prayer
By Staff Reporter
A self-proclaimed prophet and apostolic faith shrine leader has disappeared after allegations emerged that he raped a 23-year-old follower during a private cleansing ceremony at his Chitungwiza shrine last month.
The shrine leader, better known to his followers as Madzibaba Maikoro, committed the alleged crime in Chinhanga Village, under Chief Seke.
The suspect, according to sources, in October 2025, “prophesied” that the victim was spiritually cursed and was burdened with something on her back.
Madzibaba Maikoro allegedly lured the woman to his shrine for a prayer session he had claimed was meant to cleanse her of a curse.
He reportedly told the victim that if she did not receive the prayer, further misfortune would befall her.
On 15 October 2025 at around 10 in the morning, the victim went to the shrine and was ushered into a space surrounded by a white cloth.
She knelt down on some white clothes and while purportedly praying for her, the suspect allegedly grabbed her and forcibly removed her underwear before raping her once without protection.
After the act, the suspect allegedly threatened the victim with unspecified harm if she disclosed the abuse to anyone.
She did not reveal the abuse to anyone until 4 November this year when she opened up to her sister who advised her to make a police report.
She finally made the report on 14 November 2025 at Chitungwiza police station.
Police attended the crime scene and the suspect was not located.
The victim was escorted to Chitungwiza Central Hospital for medical examination.
Police have opened a criminal investigation into the matter.
