ZIMBABWE PEACE PROJECT MONTHLY MONITORING REPORT
AUGUST 2021
4.0
The Johane Marange sect story
Because of its strict rules and doctrines, the sect has a loyal
following, and the sect’s high priest and leader, Noah Taguta, is
referred to as a “god” who is sometimes likened to Jesus, and
messages from him, including those that seek to suppress the role
of women in sect, are said to be directly from God.
So, whatever Taguta says goes, and for political leaders, this has
worked well in their favour as the sect members interviewed by
ZPP confirmed that the sect has used some Bible verses to compel
its members to support Zanu PF.
One of the Bible verses that has been used is Romans 13:1, which
says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For
there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have
been instituted by God.”
There is also a fear of the power associated with the sect prophets’
ability to get messages from God and to foresee things, a situation
that leaves ordinary members with one choice, and that is to
follow what they are told.
This level of indoctrination can never be underestimated.
Among the rules all members of the sect — including women —
must keep bald heads and that the women are expected to submit
to men always, whether at home or within the sect.
The father is the sole authority in the house. Women do not
contribute anything either by way of preaching or being part of
decision-making in the running of the sect.
Women cannot stand and preach to a congregation, it is a sign of
disrespect and education for girls in the sect is not a priority.
They are, instead, groomed to be housewives and are not
supposed to get access to any culture or platforms that may be
seen to be contrary to the sect doctrines and parents are not
encouraged to send their children to visit relatives who are not
members of the sect.
The sect is also one of the few remaining that gets girls tested for virginity and
those certified to be virgins are made to sit on the front row, facing sect elders
who use that opportunity to pick out potential wives.
To add to the woes of the girls and women, the sect has powerful
internal disciplinary platforms that are closely presided over by the
sect leaders.
With much of the rules and regulations of the sect being enforced
far from the eyes of the state law enforcers, abuse of girls and
women often goes unreported, and is dealt with, if at all, within
the sect’s internal courts, which are often biased against girls and
women.
Apart from the observed high number of cases where girls below
18 are married off — often to older and polygamous sect
members — there are also many incidents of birth-related deaths
as the sect forbids its members from using the formal health
institutions and prefers its own midwives and spiritual healers.
The sect also bars its members from taking medication, and
women are not allowed to take contraceptives.
Defying the rules can lead to automatic expulsion from the sect
and members of the sect normally live in large communities
together, so being expelled from the sect is like being banished
from the whole community.
The sect also uses —whether by design or coincidence —
psychological indoctrination to make young girls believe the only
way is to get married.