Traditional Healer Jailed 15 Years For Attempted Rape During ‘Goblins Cleansing’ Ritual To Fix Marital Crisis

Spiritual Healer Preys On Woman In Marital Crisis

A self-proclaimed traditional healer has been sent to prison for 15 years after a court found him guilty of attempting to rape a woman during what he claimed was a ritual to cleanse her home of goblins. The shocking case took place in Rusape.

The court heard detailed evidence of how the man exploited a woman’s desperation to solve her marital problems.

The Deceptive Ritual

According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the incident occurred on the 3rd of October, 2025. Cain Mushayi, aged 29, approached a 34-year-old woman at her homestead in Village Domborembizi. He presented himself as a traditional healer who could resolve her domestic strife and remove goblins he claimed were causing instability. The woman, seeking help, allowed him into her unfinished two-roomed house to perform the cleansing ceremony.

The Assault And Brave Escape

Once inside the private space, the ritual took a sinister and violent turn. Mushayi instructed the woman to remove her trousers. He then lit a fire on a stick and placed it between her legs, insisting this strange act was necessary to drive away the supernatural entities. The situation rapidly escalated from a ritual into a physical attack.

The NPAZ report detailed the subsequent struggle:

“The offender pushed the complainant to the floor, removed his own clothes, and attempted to force himself on her. The court heard that a struggle ensued as the complainant fought back valiantly. During the struggle, the offender ejaculated on the complainant’s legs before she managed to overpower him and push him away. He then fled the scene.”

The woman’s resilience allowed her to fight off her attacker, and Mushayi was later apprehended and charged.

A Stark Warning From Prosecutors

Following the sentencing at the Rusape Magistrates’ Court, the NPAZ issued a strong public advisory. The authority emphasised that this case is not isolated and serves as a cautionary tale for the public. They urged people to be extremely wary of strangers offering unsolicited spiritual services, particularly in private settings.

The NPAZ bulletin concluded:

“This case serves as a stark warning against falling victim to fraudsters posing as spiritual healers to exploit vulnerable individuals. We continue to urge the public to be cautious of strangers offering unsolicited spiritual services in private spaces.”

The successful prosecution and substantial fifteen-year sentence have been hailed as a significant step in combating such predatory crimes.