Police in Zimbabwe have apprehended the suspected leader of a religious cult, Ishmael Chokurongerwa, along with seven senior members, in Mashonaland West province. The Gore Jena Penyeranyika sect leader was taken into custody after authorities discovered concerning conditions at his farm in Nyabira, where 251 children were found without birth certificates and denied access to formal education.
Authorities also uncovered a gravesite on the farm containing 16 individuals, including seven infants, whose burials were not registered. According to the police statement, the rescued children were subjected to exploitation and forced labor, purportedly for the benefit of the sect’s leadership. Chokurongerwa, known as “Prophet Ishmael,” admitted to reporters that he was unaware of women’s and children’s rights.
A member of the cult defended their stance against formal education, stating that it contradicts the teachings of God. The arrests shed light on the exploitation and abuse within the sect, raising concerns about the welfare of its members and the broader issue of religious freedom versus human rights protections in Zimbabwe.
Source: BBC News