The Zimbabwean authorities have arrested a self-proclaimed apostolic sect prophet at a shrine where 16 unregistered graves were discovered, as well as more than 251 children who are allegedly used for cheap labour.

In a statement on Wednesday, police spokesman Paul Nyathi reported that a man named Ishmael Chokurongerwa, who claimed to be a prophet, was arrested along with his accomplices.

According to reports by the Voice of America, the sect was leading over 1,000 members on a property located about 34 kilometers (21 miles) northwest of Harare.

The report further stated that Mr Chokurongerwa, also known as the Prophet Ishmael, and seven of his assistants were taken into custody by the police on Tuesday “for criminal activities which include abuse of minors.”

The children, according to the police, “were being used to perform various physical activities for the benefit of the sect’s leadership,” he said. Of the 251 children, 246 had no birth certificates.

“Police established that all children of school age did not attend formal education and were subjected to abuse as cheap labour, doing manual work in the name of being taught life skills,” the police said.

Mr Nyathi said among the graves they found were those of seven infants whose burials were not registered with authorities.

The police said that more details would be released “in due course as investigations unfold.”