A self-styled prophet from Nkayi, Cuthbert Dube, was yesterday sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for raping a woman in a church building at...
A self-styled prophet from Nkayi, Cuthbert Dube, was yesterday sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for raping a woman in a church building at knife point. He raped the woman minutes after prophesying on her and was arrested the next day at his shrine while helping other women.
Passing sentence yesterday, regional magistrate Chrispen Mberewere bemoaned the increase of rape cases in the country. “Considering the evidence that has been given in this court, it’s clear that you had sex with the complainant without her consent. Cases of men of the cloth who abuse vulnerable women are on the increase and your sentence must serve to deter like-minded men,” said Mberewere.
“You’re therefore found guilty of rape and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment of which three are suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.”
Dube had pleaded not guilty to the rape charge and told the court he travelled outside the village on the day he is said to have committed the crime.
The woman took to the stand as the first State witness and told the court that Dube followed her on a small pathway leading to the Agape Church.
“As I was about to pass the church gate, I saw Dube standing and he greeted me and started prophesying. He was alleging that my relatives were forcing me to sleep with a monkey and that my womb had problems,” said the woman.
“As I drew closer to him, he grabbed me and took me inside the church, leaving his bicycle outside. I screamed and he drew a knife and threatened to kill me if I made any noise.”
Dube forced her to lie down and undressed her. “He raped me once and told me to continue on my journey. When I got home I notified my sister-in-law,” she said.
Dube asked her why she stopped and listened to a prophecy from someone she did not know, to the amusement of the court.
Another witness told the court that Dube was caught while prophesying on a number of women.
“When he saw us coming, he menacingly drew a knife but we managed to apprehend him. He admitted to raping her and asked us not to assault him as he was ready to compensate the girl’s family with a beast,” he said.
“We took him to the police station and asked him to identify the woman he had raped and he quickly pointed at the victim. Other villagers even told us that Dube was very dangerous but we managed to subdue him.”
Dube maintained that he did not know any of the witnesses and denied prophesying on anyone.
Trust Muduma, for the state, told the court that on March 24 at around 12noon, the woman went to Tsheli Business Centre to purchase phone recharge cards. He said on her way, she met Dube who grabbed her and produced a knife threatening to stab her if she made any noise.
Dube, Muduma said, dragged her into the church and raped her once.
“After the sexual assault, Dube threatened to kill the woman should she reveal the matter to anyone,” said Muduma.
The woman reported the matter to police the following day and was referred to hospital for medical examination.
Passing sentence yesterday, regional magistrate Chrispen Mberewere bemoaned the increase of rape cases in the country. “Considering the evidence that has been given in this court, it’s clear that you had sex with the complainant without her consent. Cases of men of the cloth who abuse vulnerable women are on the increase and your sentence must serve to deter like-minded men,” said Mberewere.
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| Cuthbert Dube jailed for rape. |
Dube had pleaded not guilty to the rape charge and told the court he travelled outside the village on the day he is said to have committed the crime.
The woman took to the stand as the first State witness and told the court that Dube followed her on a small pathway leading to the Agape Church.
“As I was about to pass the church gate, I saw Dube standing and he greeted me and started prophesying. He was alleging that my relatives were forcing me to sleep with a monkey and that my womb had problems,” said the woman.
“As I drew closer to him, he grabbed me and took me inside the church, leaving his bicycle outside. I screamed and he drew a knife and threatened to kill me if I made any noise.”
Dube forced her to lie down and undressed her. “He raped me once and told me to continue on my journey. When I got home I notified my sister-in-law,” she said.
Dube asked her why she stopped and listened to a prophecy from someone she did not know, to the amusement of the court.
Another witness told the court that Dube was caught while prophesying on a number of women.
“When he saw us coming, he menacingly drew a knife but we managed to apprehend him. He admitted to raping her and asked us not to assault him as he was ready to compensate the girl’s family with a beast,” he said.
“We took him to the police station and asked him to identify the woman he had raped and he quickly pointed at the victim. Other villagers even told us that Dube was very dangerous but we managed to subdue him.”
Dube maintained that he did not know any of the witnesses and denied prophesying on anyone.
Trust Muduma, for the state, told the court that on March 24 at around 12noon, the woman went to Tsheli Business Centre to purchase phone recharge cards. He said on her way, she met Dube who grabbed her and produced a knife threatening to stab her if she made any noise.
Dube, Muduma said, dragged her into the church and raped her once.
“After the sexual assault, Dube threatened to kill the woman should she reveal the matter to anyone,” said Muduma.
The woman reported the matter to police the following day and was referred to hospital for medical examination.
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