A dramatic twist has emerged in the trial of Prophet John Nundwe, also known as John General, who is facing rape charges for allegedly assaulting a 27-year-old married woman in Lusaka on November 22, 2022. The woman had approached Nundwe for prayers to help her conceive after suffering miscarriages.
During the trial, a cyber security expert, Jeff Sitali, testified that he extracted 11 WhatsApp messages from Nundwe's iPhone 13 Pro Max. One of the messages revealed that the woman asked Nundwe for help in having a baby, and he responded with "Bwela tupange" (come, let's make a baby).
The messages were exchanged between Nundwe and the woman, known by the pseudonym Chansa, between October 2022 and November 2023. Sitali noted that some messages had no contents, possibly due to deletion or disappearing timer settings.
According to Sitali's testimony, the first message was sent by Chansa on October 17, 2022, at 12:18 hours, but the content was not displayed. Chansa sent another message on the same day at 12:19, but again, the content was not displayed.
However, on October 27, 2022, at 17:07, Chansa sent a message to Nundwe, which read: "Dady, what can I do for me to have a child, plus [please]". Nundwe did not respond to this message, but Chansa sent another message on the same day at 17:08, which read: "I need a child, Dady, pliz".
The most damning evidence, however, was a message sent by Nundwe on December 15, 2022, at 14:16, which read: "Bwela tupange" (come, let's make a baby). This message suggests that Nundwe may have had ulterior motives when he invited Chansa to his residence for prayers.
During cross-examination, Nundwe's defense team questioned Sitali about the messages. Defense lawyer Yokonia Daka asked Sitali if he could confirm with certainty whether the messages were deleted or if there was a disappearing setting. Sitali replied that he could not.
Another defense lawyer, Elijah Siatwaambo, asked Sitali if his report contained any evidence suggesting that rape might or might not have been committed by Nundwe. Sitali replied that his report did not contain any such evidence, as he was not the investigator.
The trial has sparked widespread interest and outrage, with many calling for justice for the alleged victim. The case has also raised questions about the power dynamics between spiritual leaders and their followers, and the need for greater accountability and transparency in religious institutions.
As the trial continues, one thing is clear: the fate of Prophet John Nundwe hangs in the balance. Will he be found guilty of rape, or will he be acquitted? The nation waits with bated breath for the verdict.
The trial is set to continue on February 26, and it remains to be seen what other evidence will be presented in court. One thing is certain, however: the outcome of this trial will have far-reaching implications for the country and its people
