Zimbabwe sect leader held after 251 children rescued from farm labour

Ishmael Chokurongerwa who the Zimbabwean police claim is the leader of a religious sect and was arrested for suspected criminal activities including "abuse of minors", talks to members of the media, in Nyabira, Zimbabwe March 12, 2024. H-METRO/Arron Nyamayaro/Handout via REUTERS

HARARE (Reuters) - A Zimbabwean sect leader and "self-styled prophet" appeared in court on Thursday charged with child abuse after police raided his farm and rescued more than 200 children doing physical labour, police said.

The children "were subjected to abuse as cheap labour, doing manual work in the name of being taught life skills", a police statement said.