From 'Canaan' to Prison, Madzibaba Ishmael Sentenced to 20 Years for Child Abuse

By Delicious Mathuthu

Harare - The self-styled Zimbabwean prophet who led an isolated Johane Masowe apostolic sect has been finally sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping and impregnating a 14-year-old girl in his congregation, capping a high-profile case that began with a police raid exposing child labor and unregistered graves on his farm compound.

Ishmael Chokurongerwa (56) popularly known as "Madzibaba Ishmael", head of the Johane Masowe eChishanu Gorejena Penyeranyika Apostolic Sect, was convicted earlier this month of sexually assaulting the minor between February 2023 and March 2024.

The victim gave birth to a baby girl in January 2024, with DNA tests confirming Chokurongerwa as the father.

Harare regional magistrate, Estere Chivasa, handed down the sentence on Tuesday, December 23, describing his actions as a "heinous" abuse of power and labeling him a "notorious and evil" individual who betrayed the trust of his followers.

The case thrust Chokurongerwa's sect into the spotlight, revealing a secretive community where children were allegedly denied education and exploited under the guise of religious teachings.

It exposed the ongoing concerns in Zimbabwe about apostolic groups, known locally as Vapostori, which often resist modern practices like schooling and healthcare while endorsing traditions such as child marriages.

Chokurongerwa's downfall began in March 2024, when police raided his Lily Farm compound in Nyabira, about 34km northwest of Harare, following a tip-off about potential abuses.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers discovered 251 children living on the property, most without birth certificates and none attending formal school.

The minors were reportedly used as cheap labor for the sect's leadership, performing manual work purportedly being taught "life skills" in line with the group's beliefs, as secular education is forbidden by God.

Authorities also uncovered 16 unregistered graves, including seven for infants, violating Zimbabwe's burial laws.

The raid led to Chokurongerwa's arrest alongside seven other sect members on charges of child abuse, exploiting minors and contravening the Burial and Cremation Act and Children's Act.

He was denied bail and remanded in custody. During the operation, the rape victim was rescued from a "safe house" in Harare's Mufakose suburb, where she had been hidden.

Subsequent investigations revealed additional allegations, leading to three rape charges against Chokurongerwa.

In court, prosecutors argued that Chokurongerwa exploited his position as a trusted spiritual leader to manipulate vulnerable young congregants.

DNA evidence from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) confirmed he had fathered three children with the complainants, including the minor.

Chokurongerwa was however acquitted on the other two rape counts after the court ruled that victims were adults who had consented.

He was also cleared of separate charges related to ill-treatment of minors and burial violations, though the prosecution highlighted his prior 2015 conviction for public violence, for which he served five years after leading an attack on police and rivals.

During sentencing, Magistrate Chivasa condemned Chokurongerwa's lack of remorse and his history of flouting the law.

"He used the cover of religion to exploit vulnerable church members," she said, according to court reports.

The judge highlighted betrayal of trust, noting that the victim did not fully comprehend the exploitation due to her age and the sect's insular environment.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) hailed the outcome as a victory for justice.

"This sentencing is a testament to the fact that no one is above the law," the NPA said in a statement, adding that "we commend the courage of the victim and all those who came forward to help apprehend this paedophile."

The authority added that "The protection of our children is paramount, and the NPA remains committed to rooting out all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation, especially those masked by positions of power or religious authority."

Chokurongerwa's sect, part of Zimbabwe's broader apostolic movement followed by an estimated 2 million people, has long faced scrutiny.

The groups, often worshiping in open air and wearing white garments, have been linked to child marriages and resistance to vaccination programs, according to a UNICEF report.

Members of Chokurongerwa's community, which he dubbed "Canaan" and isolated from the outside world amid apocalyptic beliefs, protested during the police raid, with women in white garments decrying the removal of their children by riot police.

Advocacy organizations like Save the Children, tagged in NPA statements, have called for stronger safeguards against exploitation in such groups.

Chokurongerwa's lawyer has indicated plans to appeal the sentence.