Zimbabwean police have reported the arrest of a cult leader leading an apostolic sect at a compound where over 250 children were purportedly exploited as cheap labor. Additionally, authorities discovered 16 unregistered graves on the premises.

According to a statement by police spokesperson Paul Nyathi, Ishmael Chokurongerwa, aged 56,  purportedly headed a sect comprising over 1,000 members on a farm approximately 34 km northwest of the capital, Harare. The children were reportedly residing at the farm alongside other adherents.

The rescued children were allegedly exploited to carry out various physical tasks for the benefit of the sect's leadership, according to Nyathi. Among the 251 children, 246 lacked birth certificates.

“Police established that all children of school-going age did not attend formal education and were subjected to abuse as cheap labor, doing manual work in the name of being taught life skills,” Nyathi said.

Authorities stated that among the unearthed graves were those of seven infants whose burials had not been officially registered.

Nyathi explained that law enforcement conducted a raid on the area on Tuesday. Chokurongerwa was apprehended along with seven of his associates "for engaging in criminal activities, including the abuse of minors," further saying that additional information would be disclosed "in due course as investigations progress."

Apostolic sects popular in Zimbabwe

During the raid, a state-run tabloid, H-Metro, depicted police officers in riot gear engaging in a dispute with female followers dressed in white garments and head coverings. These women were reportedly demanding the return of children who had been placed on a police bus. The destination of the children and some accompanying women remains unclear.

As per the newspaper report, armed police officers, equipped with firearms, tear gas, and dogs, conducted a high-profile raid on the area. 

Apostolic sects, which blend traditional beliefs with Pentecostal doctrine, enjoy significant popularity in deeply religious Zimbabwe.

Although there is limited extensive research on Apostolic churches in Zimbabwe, studies conducted by UNICEF suggest that it is the largest religious denomination in the country, boasting approximately 2.5 million followers in a population of 15 million. Some of these groups advocate for practices that include eschewing formal education for children, and rejecting modern medicine in favor of healing through prayer, holy water, and anointed stones. 

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