Masimba Chirayi, 37, appeared court Harare where he denied intentionally killing Wendy Thinnamay Masuka during her baptism, saying he held her under because she was 'possessed'.
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Pastor drowns woman during baptism because 'she seemed like a vampire'
Masimba Chirayi, 37, is charged with drowning Wendy Thinnamay Masuka
Apostolic pastor was baptising Masuka in the Nyaure River when she drowned
He told a court that she appeared 'like a vampire' and was 'possessed by demons'
Belief in the supernatural is widespread in Zimbabwe and the government officially recognises the existence of supernatural powers
By CHRIS PLEASANCE FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 06:49 EDT, 19 April 2018 | UPDATED: 10:44 EDT, 19 April 2018
A Zimbabwean pastor drowned a woman during her baptism because she 'appeared like a vampire', a court has heard.
Masimba Chirayi, 37, appeared at Harare magistrate's court on Thursday charged with culpable homicide in the death of congregant Wendy Thinnamay Masuka.
Masuka died over the weekend while being baptised by Chirayi in the Nyaure River, around 35 miles north of the capital.
Chirayi denied intentionally drowning Masuka, saying he kept her underwater because he feared she had become possessed.
'In my eyes she was like a vampire possessed by demons, she was violent and I thought she was going to kill people,' New Zimbabwe reported.
'I kept her submerged in water until I overpowered her.'
Chirayi was released on a $50 bond and is due back in court again next month.
He is an apostolic preacher at the New Johanne Masowe church, which is the largest religious sect in Zimbabwe.
Several congregants are expected to testify against him, it is reported.
Belief in the supernatural is widespread in Zimbabwe and the government officially recognises the existence of supernatural powers.
In 2006 minsters lifted a colonial-era ban on practicing witchcraft, though said it should not be used to harm another person.
Shortly before Robert Mugabe was ousted from power by now-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, he accused his former deputy of practicing witchcraft on him.
In nearby Malawi, 250 people were arrested last year after a spate of vigilante killings amid widespread fears that vampires were stalking the country.
A Zimbabwean prophet, 37, has appeared in court after he allegedly killed one of his congregates during a baptism session in Nyaure River in Domboshawa.
As Always: text is provided only in the event of access expiration or post deletions from the hosting site. Whenever possible, always read the article at the link.
A Zimbabwean prophet, 37, has appeared in court after he allegedly killed one of his congregates during a baptism session in Nyaure River in Domboshawa.
According to New Zimbabwe.com, the incident happened last weekend when Pastor Masimba Chirayi mistook Wendy Thinnamay Masuka for a "vampire".
Chirayi told the Harare magistrate's court that he did not kill the deceased on purpose. He said that Masuka appeared like a dangerous creature.
"In my eyes she was like a vampire possessed by demons, she was violent and I thought she was going to kill people so I kept her submerged in water until I overpowered her," Chirayi was quoted as saying.
He was released on a $50 bail pending his next court appearance next month.
In 2016, six juveniles, including a 1-year-old, died after they were baptised in a river in the north of the country.
According to Daily News, the baptism, which was conducted by two self-styled prophets went "terribly wrong" and left villagers in Chikomba district in shock.
The children were found frothing from the mount, with police saying that the water may have been bitterly cold.
The two prophets were arrested and charged with culpable homicide.
