Epworth Teen Drugged for Manjuzu — Couple Caught Hiding Her
A 15-year-old girl was drugged and hidden for days in a disturbing attempt to initiate her into manjuzu, a controversial spiritual practice and now the couple behind the scheme is behind bars.
Fortunate Anesu Kachere (30) and Tadiwanashe Benjamin (25), both residents of Green Valley in Epworth, were sentenced to nine months in prison after being convicted of kidnapping and unlawful detention.
The incident began on September 25 when the teenager fled her aunt’s home in Jachi, Epworth, claiming she was being forced to drink herbs.
She sought refuge at the couple’s house, where they allegedly began preparing her for a spiritual initiation.
Instead of alerting her family or authorities, the pair kept her concealed and drugged — triggering a frantic search by relatives.
Later that day, the girl’s mother sent a nephew to the couple’s home to check on her whereabouts, but the pair denied ever seeing the child.
Days passed without any trace of her until October 3, when the mother received a tip-off confirming the girl was still at the couple’s residence.
Police responded swiftly, raiding the property and recovering the teenager in a compromised state.
According to The Herald, the court heard that the couple had put in motion a plan to induct the girl into manjuzu, a practice often associated with spiritual manipulation and exploitation.
Magistrate Ethel Chichera presided over the full trial and handed down custodial sentences, stressing the seriousness of the offense and the need to protect vulnerable minors from abuse.
The case has reignited public debate over harmful rituals targeting children and the urgent need for community vigilance.
Authorities are urging families to report suspicious behavior and take active steps to safeguard minors from spiritual exploitation.
