CHIKOMBA – A self-styled Chikomba prophetess and three accomplices have appeared at the Chivhu Magistrates Court facing charges of murder after six children they were baptising drowned a the stream.
The six children died on Tuesday last week during baptism along Mutorahuku stream in Muriwo Village, Headman Mutengwa’s area, Sadza.
The four accused are Maud Dzvuke (31) a self-styled prophet of the Johane Masowe Yechishanu Apostolic Sect, Jane Ruvinga (22), Tony Kondo (17) and Naume Dvuke. They were not asked to plead when they appeared and were remanded in custody to June 24, 2016.
It is the State case that on June 7, 2016, around 6am, the four took their children for a cleansing baptism at Mutorahuku stream.
Maud took her four children, Chido Dzuke (11), Patience Pfumbidza (9), Shamiso Pfumbidza (4) and Mercy Pfumbidza (2). Ruvinga took her two children TafadzwaDzvuke (5) and Tinotenda Dzuke (3). Tony Tafadzwa Kondo had no child. Naume took her child, Blessed Muvadi (1).
When they arrived at the stream, Maud got into the water and baptised the children starting with her own.
During baptism, Maud submerged the children’s heads in the water, pressing their foreheads and pushing their heads into the water.
Ruvinga, Tony and Naume assisted Maud by handing over the children to her for baptism.
The children lost consciousness and six of them died.
A post mortem revealed that the kids died due to asphyxia.
It was the duty of the accused person to take care of the now deceased children.
