Staff Reporter
A Mbizo prophet who made headlines on social media for assaulting a female church member on 14 February 2024 appeared in court facing two other similar counts.
Prophet Simabyu Shiri (35) of Spring of Living Waters Ministries, appeared before Kwekwe Magistrate Mildred Matuvi facing three counts of assault.
He was remanded to 1 March 2024 on US$50 bail.
According to the courts, three members of his church dragged him to court for assault.
On the first count, Shiri is accused of assaulting Peace Tapfumaneyi, a church member.
The court heard that on the 4th day of February 2024 at around 1530 hours at Emthonjeni Primary School, Tapfumaneyi had a church meeting with Shiri who was allegedly told by another member Pastor Duriko that he was not following church protocols.
It is said Shiri became angry and slapped the complainant several times on the face with open hands.
The complainant sustained no visible injuries and was referred to the hospital for medical examination.
The second complainant is Takudzwa Dube who alleges that on the 4th of February 2024 at around 1530 hours he was slapped by Shiri for not following church protocols.
The third count alleges that Shiri assaulted Violet Ndhleleni on the 14th of February 2024 at around 0900 hours.
The court heard that Shiri invited the complainant to his house with two other church members, Mai Ndhlovu and Mai Mutema.
It is said upon arrival at the accused’s place of residence, Shiri started accusing Ndhleleni of gossiping about him with church members. It is said the complaint tried to explain to the accused, but this did not go well with Shiri, who then slapped the complainant several times on the face and the back with open hands.
The court heard that Ndhleleni sustained painful cheeks and was referred to Kwekwe General Hospital for treatment and a medical report.
