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Herald Correspondent

A Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe self-styled prophet of the Nguwo Tsvuku Apostolic Sect will serve an effective 36 months in jail for bedding a 15-year-old.

Madzibaba Simbi, real name Norman Simbi (38), will serve an effective 36 months after four months of the 40-month sentence were suspended by Mutawatawa magistrate, Mr Edwin Marecha, on condition of good behaviour after he comes out of jail.

While the girl did agree to the relationship, she is under 18 and therefore cannot legally consent, so while Simbi escaped rape charges he still broke the law and his position of authority and the age gap would have been considered aggravating cicumstances.

One afternoon in August this year at around 4pm at Nyamukondiwa Village, the 15-year-old girl was on her way home from the borehole when she met Simbi.

Simbi, who leads several shrines in the district, then proposed love and she accepted, and the two started dating. 

Last month, Simbi and the 15-year-old girl met at Yanai Village, where he asked to be intimate with her.

The girl is alleged to have accepted and they went into a nearby bush where they had consensual sex once. 

They then became intimate on several occasions at Simbi’s homestead after the girl eloped.

The matter came to light on November 21 after the girl’s mother reported the matter to the police.

Investigations were carried out leading to Simbi’s arrest. 

Mr Steven Malota and Ms Vimbai Chirayi represented the State.