Zimbabwe police have reported the arrest of a man who claims to be a prophet of a religious group.
They found over 250 children at a farm near Harare, where the man led a sect with over 1,000 members. The children were allegedly made to do physical work instead of going to school, and most of them didn’t have birth certificates.
The police said the children were rescued because they were being used as cheap labor. They also discovered 16 unregistered graves, including those of seven infants. The prophet, known as Ishmael Chokurongerwa, and seven of his aides were arrested for alleged criminal activities, including child abuse.
The police raided the compound on Tuesday and encountered resistance from some female believers. The believers argued with the police, demanding the return of the children. It’s unclear where the police took the children and the women who accompanied them.
According to a state-run newspaper, the police raid involved officers armed with guns, teargas, and dogs. Believers described the compound as their promised land.
Apostolic groups, which blend traditional beliefs with Pentecostal doctrine, are popular in Zimbabwe. While some of these groups discourage formal education and medical care, others have started allowing their members to access these services after pressure from the government and non-governmental organizations.