BULAWAYO – A self-proclaimed prophet, Madzibaba Lenon Chidarikire, is facing fraud charges after allegedly planting snakes at the home of a former bank manager in Bulawayo and subsequently swindling her out of a substantial amount of money and property. The 44-year-old Chidarikire, who claims to possess spiritual powers, is accused of conning Ms Innocentia Sekani, a former bank manager residing in Montrose, out of US$3,000 and two vehicles, including a Toyota Hilux.
Chidarikire appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Ms Patience Madondo, last Wednesday to answer to the charges. The state alleges that Chidarikire’s actions were part of an elaborate scheme to defraud Ms Sekani under the guise of removing evil spirits from her home.
The court heard that Chidarikire, who hails from Entumbane, Bulawayo, hatched a plan with an accomplice, only identified as Madzibaba Michel, to target Ms Sekani. The alleged scheme began on 22 March this year, when the two men visited Ms Sekani’s home with the intention of defrauding her.
Prosecutor Ms Brenda Ndlovu, representing the State, detailed the sequence of events that led to Chidarikire’s arrest. “The two performed rituals at Sekani’s house and removed two snakes from the complainant’s house, which greatly frightened her,” Ms Ndlovu told the court. This act, according to the prosecution, was designed to instil fear in Ms Sekani and make her more susceptible to their demands.
Following the alleged planting of the snakes, the two men allegedly demanded a significant sum of money from Ms Sekani. “Afterwards, they demanded US$3,000, which they said she had to pay within two hours, and threatened her, saying that if she did not comply, something would happen to her. Sekani sourced the money and gave them US$3,000,” Ms Ndlovu stated.
The court further heard that the alleged scheme did not end there. On 28 March, Chidarikire allegedly returned to Ms Sekani’s home, claiming to have received a message from the “spiritual realm” through another associate, Madzibaba Mushore. According to the message, Ms Sekani and her daughter were instructed to visit Chidarikire’s shrine in Norton.
Ms Ndlovu explained, “Sekani, with her daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend, went to the shrine. Upon arrival, she was told to sell her Mazda Demio vehicle, which she did, selling the car for US$2,200, and Chidarikire signed the sales agreement as a witness.”
The prosecution alleges that Chidarikire continued to exploit Ms Sekani’s fear and vulnerability. On 14 May, he allegedly returned to her home and removed another snake from a different room in the house. “He said he should be given US$250 and a Toyota Aqua, saying it was payment for the work he had done to cleanse the house. The complainant agreed and gave him US$250 and the Toyota Aqua,” Ms Ndlovu told the court.
The final act in the alleged scheme occurred on 24 June, when Chidarikire once again visited Ms Sekani’s home. “Afterwards, he went to her home and returned on 24 June, telling them that they should come to his shrine, saying that there was an evil spirit tormenting the complainant’s daughter,” said Ms Ndlovu. Ms Sekani and her daughter complied, paying US$20 for a consultation and an initial US$300 for cleansing rituals.
According to the prosecution, Chidarikire then instructed Ms Sekani to bring her Toyota Hilux to the shrine, claiming that it was possessed by an evil spirit. “The accused told Sekani to go and fetch her Toyota Hilux, saying that there was an animal with an evil spirit living inside it,” Ms Ndlovu stated.
Chidarikire allegedly pressured Ms Sekani to sell the vehicle urgently. “He then told her to sell her Toyota Hilux for US$10,000 within two hours. They found someone who wanted to buy it who paid US$9,500 and promised to pay the remaining US$500 in the following days. The complainant then gave him US$9,500,” Ms Ndlovu explained.
The court heard that Chidarikire later demanded the outstanding US$500, claiming it had been contaminated by evil spirits. “After a few days, (the accused) said he wanted the remaining US$500, saying it had been contaminated by evil spirits, and he was given the money. He told the complainant not to tell anyone what had happened, after which he disappeared,” said Ms Ndlovu.
Following his disappearance, a warrant was issued for Chidarikire’s arrest. He was eventually apprehended in Bindura, where he had been hiding. The court was informed that one of Chidarikire’s friends had tipped off the police about his whereabouts, leading to his arrest.
During his court appearance, Chidarikire applied for bail, arguing that he would reside at his home in Entumbane and would not interfere with any witnesses. He also claimed that he was not a flight risk and told the court that he had not fled but was in Bindura engaged in farming activities.
However, the State opposed his bail application, arguing that he was a flight risk and likely to abscond if released. Ms Ndlovu contested Chidarikire’s claims of farming, stating that there is no farming activity in August. She pointed out that Chidarikire had been on the run since August last year and was only apprehended last week while in hiding. “They also stated that the accused, if granted bail, was likely to abscond,” Ms Ndlovu argued.
Magistrate Madondo ultimately denied Chidarikire’s bail application, citing the risk of him absconding. Chidarikire was remanded in custody and is scheduled to reappear in court on 23 December.
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