Bail extended for Rundu 'prophet' accused of assault

Rundu-based self-proclaimed prophet Sebardius Muronga, who stands accused of assaulting and threatening his girlfriend last year, appeared in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where his bail was extended to 6 March to confirm trial dates.

Muronga has been charged with assault, pointing a firearm and possession of a firearm without a licence. He appeared before magistrate Selma Shiiga.

According to court documents, on 16 June last year, at Tjinga Valley in Rundu, Muronga unlawfully and intentionally assaulted his then-girlfriend, Maria Simbumburu, by threatening to kill her. He allegedly pointed a firearm at her, which Simbumburu took as an immediate threat to her life.



Paternity disputes

In 2022, Muronga appeared before Mbunza Traditional Authority Chief Alfons Kaundu after allegedly impregnating two ushers from his church.

The two women, who are cousins, approached the traditional authority after experiencing complications with their pregnancies, accusing Muronga of spiritually tormenting them.

They reported symptoms such as severe stomach bloating and constipation, which they attributed to his alleged influence.

Muronga, known to his followers as ‘Papa,’ came under the scrutiny of the traditional authority, while the Namibian police became involved in the paternity disputes, as he reportedly denies fathering the unborn children.

In an interview in 2022, the two women, Anna Sitoka Karufere (38) and Maria Nankali Kandjimi (36), told Namibian Sun that they were allegedly brainwashed and later impregnated by Muronga.



Allegations of manipulation

Karufere, who was six months pregnant at the time, and Kandjimi, who was due the following month (February 2022), detailed their experiences at the Grace Church of All Nations, which Muronga established in February 2021 in Rundu’s Satotwa suburb.

According to Karufere, Muronga used his influence over them, dictating their daily lives and forcing them to cater to his needs, from preparing meals to ironing his clothes. She recounted how two ushers were required to sleep in the same room as the prophet at a house in Sauyemwa.

“The prophet would sleep on the bed while we slept on a mattress by his feet. One night, while half asleep, he called us to his bed. He then took the other usher and had intercourse with her on the mattress. He later tried the same with me, but I refused,” she recalled.

Karufere alleged that Muronga manipulated them into sexual acts, leaving them unaware of what transpired until they woke up feeling violated.

The women further alleged that upon joining the church, Muronga ordered them to end relationships with other men, prohibiting them from dating or working until 2024.

“We weren’t allowed to receive calls from our families because he claimed they were bringing demons into our lives. He even made us get new SIM cards so he would be the only one contacting us. If we received calls from others, he would beat us, claiming it was divine discipline," Karufere alleged.

When approached for comment at his residence in 2022,, Muronga declined to comment. “The matter is still pending and I am not in the position to talk to you,” he said.



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