14 March 2024, 14:22 GMTUpdated 2 hours agoImage caption, Unicef estimates greater than two million folks observe the Apostolic church buildings in ZimbabweA self-proclaimed Apostolic prophet who saved 251 youngsters on his assets has been charged with exploiting minors.Police stated that Ishmael Chokurongerwa, 56, led a sect with greater than 1,000 individuals in Harare.The kids have been allegedly used for inexpensive labour. Unregistered graves, believed to be of babies, have been additionally discovered.Chokurongerwa used to be arrested on Tuesday “for legal actions which come with abuse of minors”.He gave the impression along seven congregants sooner than a Justice of the Peace’s court docket on Thursday.All 8 of them have been charged with violating youngsters’s rights and contravening burial and cremation rules.The Zimbabwe Republic Police launched a observation on Wednesday announcing that the arrest adopted a raid.Officials came upon that 251 minors have been discovered residing on a farm run by way of Chokurongerwa about 34km (21 miles) north-west of the capital, Harare. Some 246 out of the 251 youngsters staying on the assets had no beginning certificate.The kids didn’t attend any authentic position of training, police stated, and as an alternative have been doing handbook paintings – “for the advantage of the sect’s management” – and “being taught existence talents”.9 graves have been discovered for adults and 7 for babies that have been dug with out authentic registration, police added.One of the most sect leaders instructed a reporter that God forbids youngsters going to university.Mr Chokurongerwa, who has been described as a “self-styled prophet”, used to be reportedly jailed in 2015 for main an assault on cops and a spiritual crew who had attempted to problem his sect over abuse claims.He is a part of a much broader crew referred to as the white garment church buildings, Apostolic church buildings or Vapostori, who observe various practices a lot of which might be at odds with the legislation, together with underage marriages. In addition they face up to fashionable drugs and practise open-air worship.In keeping with a neighborhood radio station that interviewed a former sect member, Mr Chokurongerwa used to be holding masses of households at his farm, which used to be blocked from the outdoor global.The lady stated the shrine used to be named Canaan and individuals believed that the arena used to be coming to an finish. The arrest has sparked conversations concerning the affect Apostolic religion sects could have on each well being and training in Zimbabwe and past.UN youngsters’s company Unicef estimates that greater than two million folks in Zimbabwe observe Apostolic church buildings.A document by way of the company discovered that some 6% of the Zimbabwe inhabitants belong to such church teams.Further reporting by way of Shingai NyokaMore Zimbabwe tales from the BBC:
