A Zimbabwean self-styled prophet" and cult leader, Ishmael Chokurongerwa, appeared in court accused of child abuse after police raided his farm and rescued more than 200 minors from hard labor.
According to a police statement, the minors were "abused as cheap labour, doing manual work in the name of being taught life skills."
Police discovered 251 youngsters on the farm who were not attending school, most of whom did not have birth certificates.
Officials discovered 16 unregistered burial sites, including seven for newborns.
Ishmael Chokurongerwa, 56, a self-proclaimed prophet, was detained last week alongside seven of his church members following a raid on their property in Nyabira, approximately 30 kilometers west of Harare.
"I can confirm that they appeared in court today. There are many charges. We are still investigating, so more charges may come up," police spokesperson Paul Nyathi told Reuters.
According to state media outlet H-Metro, Chokurongerwa and his accomplices have been detained until March 19 for a bail determination.
They are charged with two counts of breaking the Burial and Cremation Act and the Children's Act.
A video of the raid showed hundreds of women and children dressed in white gathered under a tree and singing. Some were later transported away in buses accompanied by police cars.
Zimbabwe is a primarily Christian country with apostolic sects prevalent.
Chokurongerwa, also known as Madzibaba Ishmael, was named in a police statement as a leader of the Johane Masowe, or "white garment" church.
