A self-proclaimed prophet in Zimbabwe who was keeping at least 251 children on his vast property has been arrested and charged with exploiting minors. Police say 56-year-old Ishmael Chokurongerwa leads a sect with more than 1,000 followers in a farm he owns, about 34km north-west of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare.
Initial investigations reveal the children were allegedly being used for cheap labour, some sexually assaulted. 16 shallow unregistered graves, believed to be of infants, were also found. 246 of the 251 children staying at the property had no birth certificates. In addition, the minors were not attending any school, but instead, were found doing manual work, mostly ‘for the benefit of the sect’s leadership and being taught life skills’, police reports say.
One of the sect leaders told authorities while being arrested that God condemns children going to school. The sect is part of a wider group known as the white garment churches, Apostolic churches or Vapostori in Zimbabwe, who follow varying practices many of which are at odds with the law, including underage marriages. They also resist modern medicine and practise open-air worship.
Ishmael has been arrested together with 7 other lead congregants of his sect following a raid in his property. All eight have been charged with violating children’s rights and contravening burial and cremation laws.
