An Epworth couple has been sentenced to nine months in prison after being convicted of kidnapping a 15-year-old girl they intended to initiate into a Manjuzu ritual.

Fortunate Anesu Kachere, 30, and Tadiwanashe Benjamin, 25, both of Green Valley, were found guilty by Epworth magistrate Ethel Chichera following a full trial.

The court heard that the victim, who had been living with her aunt, Betty Samanyanga, in Jachi, Epworth, went to the couple’s home on September 25.

The girl reportedly claimed she had run away from her aunt and wanted to be given specific herbal preparations.

Once at the house, Kachere and Benjamin kept the girl and began preparations for the ritual initiation.

Later the same day, when the girl’s mother sent her nephew to check on her, the couple reportedly denied having seen the teenager.

The situation came to light on October 3, when the girl’s mother received a tip-off that her daughter was still being held at the couple’s residence. She promptly reported the matter to the police. Officers then went to the home, where they found the child drugged and safely recovered her.