An illegal immigrant from Zimbabwe who makes a living as a spiritual healer was arrested and hauled before the magistrate court on Tuesday facing two counts of rape and entering Botswana through ungazetted point of entry.
The alleged rapist, 40-year old Praise Pasipanodya who stands accused of molesting a special education standard 7 pupil has been remanded in custody until his next mention scheduled for April, 03rd, 2023.
According to court papers the self styled prophet raped the teenager under the pretext that he was using sexual intercourse to destroy a mystical creature he referred to as, ‘ an evil spirit or spiritual husband,’ that he said was sexually abusing the girl.
Apparently the day before the incident Pasipanodya conducted an all night prayer at Bosele Church in Lotlhakane west.
It is alleged that towards the end of the prayer session, he told the girl through a ‘prophecy’ that she had been abused by a spiritual husband and then instructed her to accompany him to his residence for deliverance.
According to sources from the church, the girl complied and followed the man to his house in Marutlwe lands about 3 kilometres away from Lotlhakane west, where he bathed her in muti before he sexually assaulted her.
After satisfying his lust,Pasipanodya released the girl and sent her home where she reported the sexual violation to her mother who in turn reported the matter to the police which led to the arrest of Pasipanodya at his place same day.
Confirming the incident, Moshupa police acting station commander, Assistant Superintendent Goitsemang Sekgabo said that whilst arresting the accused, they also realised that he entered the country illegally.