THE public violence trial of Johanne Masowe eChishanu sect leader, Madzibaba Ishmael Chokurongerwa, took a new twist Wednesday when two cong...
THE public violence trial of Johanne Masowe eChishanu sect leader, Madzibaba Ishmael Chokurongerwa, took a new twist Wednesday when two congregants sacrificed themselves to save their boss.
Despite prosecutor Francesca Mukumbiri’s assurance that playing an imposter could land him in the dungeons, Nesbert Jachi, who is the second defence witness, said he was the one appearing in video footage in which police officers were flogged not Chokurongerwa as alleged by the state.
Jachi also confirmed that he was the one charging towards the police moments before the violence erupted.
The same person he claimed to as himself was the one the state pointed out to have incited the violence in which Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) officials, police and journalists were bashed by Chokurongerwa’s congregates.
“Chokurongerwa was indeed away when the incident happened and, if you look closely, that person has a black beard and a flat nose like me. Our leader has a greying beard.
“I’m also the one who was seated in the third row not Chokurongerwa as alleged. I was not given any money to play an imposter but what I want is to tell the truth and I don’t mind being arrested for telling truth,” said Jachi.
During the trial the prosecutor told the third defence witness, Bongani Magwenzi, that his evidence was lame adding that he was supporting Chokurongerwa because they co-acted in abusing children.
Magwenzi had also confirmed Jachi’s evidence.
“You both abused your children by deflowering them and not sending them to school,” said the prosecutor.
In response Magwenzi however, inadvertently confirmed some of the allegations which their sect had been accused of before the violence.
“ACCZ president, Johannes Ndanga who was one of the state witnesses lied to the court because he wanted to fix us.
“He (Ndanga) had told us before that he would set dogs on us and that we would go to jail over unfounded issues, but the truth is our children have peace and have no complaints against us.
“That they don’t go to school is another issue because our children can’t be George Bush’s children but blacks who abide by our church’s bylaws,” he said.
According to the state, on 30 May 2014 leaders from the ACCZ, in the company of 26 members of the police anti-riot squad, visited the shrine where Chokurongerwa and his followers were praying, with the intention to ban the sect for violating children’s rights and Christian laws.
Chokurongerwa then allegedly led the attack on the delegation. In total 7 officers in riot gear, journalists and members of the ACCZ were seriously injured.
A police blitz that followed saw 37 members of the sect arrested but Chokurongerwa fled and 11 of the 37 were later convicted in November 2014 and jailed for 4 years each for the crime.
After the incident, Chokurongerwa reportedly went underground for seven months before he was arrested at his rural home in Murehwa early this year.
However, Chokurongerwa denies evading arrest and says he was not aware of the investigations until he got arrested.
He is also denying charges of public violence and says he was not present when the incident happened.
The trial continues on Thursday.
Despite prosecutor Francesca Mukumbiri’s assurance that playing an imposter could land him in the dungeons, Nesbert Jachi, who is the second defence witness, said he was the one appearing in video footage in which police officers were flogged not Chokurongerwa as alleged by the state.
Jachi also confirmed that he was the one charging towards the police moments before the violence erupted.
 |
| Congregants nail themselves to save their leader. |
“Chokurongerwa was indeed away when the incident happened and, if you look closely, that person has a black beard and a flat nose like me. Our leader has a greying beard.
“I’m also the one who was seated in the third row not Chokurongerwa as alleged. I was not given any money to play an imposter but what I want is to tell the truth and I don’t mind being arrested for telling truth,” said Jachi.
During the trial the prosecutor told the third defence witness, Bongani Magwenzi, that his evidence was lame adding that he was supporting Chokurongerwa because they co-acted in abusing children.
Magwenzi had also confirmed Jachi’s evidence.
“You both abused your children by deflowering them and not sending them to school,” said the prosecutor.
In response Magwenzi however, inadvertently confirmed some of the allegations which their sect had been accused of before the violence.
“ACCZ president, Johannes Ndanga who was one of the state witnesses lied to the court because he wanted to fix us.
“He (Ndanga) had told us before that he would set dogs on us and that we would go to jail over unfounded issues, but the truth is our children have peace and have no complaints against us.
“That they don’t go to school is another issue because our children can’t be George Bush’s children but blacks who abide by our church’s bylaws,” he said.
According to the state, on 30 May 2014 leaders from the ACCZ, in the company of 26 members of the police anti-riot squad, visited the shrine where Chokurongerwa and his followers were praying, with the intention to ban the sect for violating children’s rights and Christian laws.
Chokurongerwa then allegedly led the attack on the delegation. In total 7 officers in riot gear, journalists and members of the ACCZ were seriously injured.
A police blitz that followed saw 37 members of the sect arrested but Chokurongerwa fled and 11 of the 37 were later convicted in November 2014 and jailed for 4 years each for the crime.
After the incident, Chokurongerwa reportedly went underground for seven months before he was arrested at his rural home in Murehwa early this year.
However, Chokurongerwa denies evading arrest and says he was not aware of the investigations until he got arrested.
He is also denying charges of public violence and says he was not present when the incident happened.
The trial continues on Thursday.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
The information is provided by PaHarare Exptreme using online sources and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose.
Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
- Advertisement -
