Pastor jailed for exorcism rape
Greatness Tapfuma, 33 has been sentenced to 30 years in jail for making a teen in his congregation his sex slave, and infecting her with genital warts and HIV. He is said to have told the teen that he is driving out the demons inside of her, in order to save her father.
Tapfuma was convicted on two counts of rape by the Bulawayo regional magistrate Chrispen Mberewere on Wednesday.
He convinced the 16-year old that there were demons inside of her, that wanted to kill her father.
Tapfuma, founder of Kingdom Rulers International Church was supported by his followers during the trial.
According to MyZimbabwe.com, he attempted to bribe his victim with a house, a car or cash so she could drop the charges against him.
Magistrate Mberewere said “I don’t find that the victim was aware of her HIV status prior to the rape. She only became aware of it after the doctor who examined her recommended that she gets tested for HIV following genital warts. I, therefore dismiss the link between the victim’s HIV infection and the rape”.
“Tapfuma committed a very serious crime. The community has for long looked to the courts to impose exemplary and suitable punitive sentences on rapist. The protection of the girl child and women in general is of paramount importance when considering an appropriate sentence for any sex offender,” said Mberewere.
He continued, “A long prison term will therefore send a strong message to these false men of God out there who have a tendency of preying on female congregants. A sentence that sends Tapfuma to jail for a considerable time is the most appropriate”.
Tapfuma maintains that the girl and her family conspired against him and fabricated the claims.
photo credit: Steve Rhodes via photopin cc
