The leader of a Zimbabwean sect appeared in court this Thursday (14), accused of child abuse after police raided his farm and rescued more than 250 children who were doing physical labor.
The children “were subjected to abuse as cheap labor, performing manual labor in the name of learning life skills,” according to the police statement.
Authorities found 251 children on the farm who were not attending school, most of whom did not have birth certificates. They also found 16 graves, including seven of children, all unregistered.
Ishmael Chokurongerwa, 56, was described by police as a self-proclaimed prophet. He was arrested this week along with seven members of his church following a raid in Nyabira, about 30km west of the capital, Harare.
During the operation, church members sat under trees and sang. Some were later taken away on buses escorted by police cars.
Chokurongerwa showed the police the farm, including a fish farm and some workshops, as well as the grave site. He was later arrested.
Source: CNN Brasil
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