SHARON NYAYA
MBERENGWA- A self-styled prophet Shadreck Zhou 37, from Mabhiza Village under Chief Maziofa in Mberengwa has been sentenced to 25 months in prison for having sexual intercourse with a minor (15).
Zhou appeared at Mberengwa Court before Magistrate Charity Tonongera on Thursday last week and was sentenced to 25 months in prison, 7 months were suspended for five years hence he will effectively serve 18 months.
For the State, Ali Mutause told the court that sometime in December last year Zhou proposed love to the minor (name withheld), doing form 4 at Chapungu Secondary School in Chivasa Village under Chief Chingoma.
The girl accepted the proposal and they had sexual intercourse on several occasions. The matter came to light when the girl eloped to the prophet and her father followed her and made a police report.
In January this year the two met in a bushy area near the minor’s homestead and they had sexual intercourse with her consent.
On February 4, 2023 the girl eloped with Zhou to his homestead prompting the father to look for her and when he found out that she was staying with the convict he reported the matter to ZRP Mataga leading the self-styled prophet’s arrest.