A young mother from Mbare, Zimbabwe, is wrestling with heartbreak and doubt after her four-year-old son was allegedly abducted by a self-styled prophet during what was meant to be a prayer session.
Priscilla Mbombo, 22, living at Joburg Lines in Mbare, had sought divine help for her ill child and reached out to a man known only as Madzibaba John, thought to be a spiritual healer. They agreed to meet on the evening of June 1 at Tsiga Grounds.
According to police reports, during their encounter around 5 p.m., the man directed Priscilla to fetch a red cloth, stating it was essential for her son’s “deliverance.” Trusting his words, she briefly left her child in his care.
However, when she returned minutes later, both the supposed prophet and her son had disappeared.
The distraught mother’s attempts to locate her son and the suspect have so far been unsuccessful. She has since reported the incident to the authorities.
Harare provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, verified the case, stating: “Police are investigating a kidnapping case involving a minor child in Mbare. The victim was left in the custody of a self-proclaiming prophet for divine deliverance. The mother has failed to locate the prophet and the baby since June 1, 2025.”
Law enforcement is appealing to the public for any information regarding the child’s or the suspect’s whereabouts to aid the ongoing investigation.
This incident emerges amid growing worries about deceitful religious figures preying on vulnerable families under the pretext of spiritual healing.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli