“People made jokes of the police, songs were even scribbled following the incident because of your actions but the court is there to support...
“People made jokes of the police, songs were even scribbled following the incident because of your actions but the court is there to support them,” said the magistrate.
JOHANNE Masowe eChishanu apostolic sect leader, Ishmael Chokurongerwa, has been convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment for inciting violence which left police officers battered and humiliated on May 31 last year.
He will however, effectively serve four years after one year was suspended for five years on conditions
Chokurongerwa, 43, was found guilty of public violence when he appeared before Harare magistrate, Milton Serima, on Wednesday.
Prosecutor Francesca Mukumbiri urged a custodial sentence to help restore the tarnished image of police officers following the incident.
She said what Chokurongerwa did was unexpected of a leader of such a huge congregation.
“Your moral blameworthiness is of a very high degree,” said the prosecutor.
“As a leader you were supposed to calm down your congregants but, instead, you led the attack. Both parties were aggrieved but there were other ways issues would have been settled than assaulting.
“It is so aggravating that you assaulted police officers who were in uniform, they should be respected but you overlooked that. There is need to restore their image and, as such, a custodial sentence will be appropriate.
“Indeed you are a first offender but the police were named, shamed and ridiculed because of your actions.”
In mitigation, Chokurongerwa, who was visibly shaken, pleaded for mercy highlighting that there was no one to take care of his children if he goes to jail.
Exposed police to ridicule
However, Serima said the court would never overlook how the police was belittled.
“After your long trial the court is convinced that you are guilty as charged,” said the magistrate.
“You intentionally participated in the violence and all along you have been trying to dispute your presence taking advantage of the commotion which occurred on this date.
“You should have led by example as an ordained man of God but you have ridiculed yourself also. Your behaviour of inciting violence, let alone at your own shrine leaves a lot to be desired.
“People made jokes of the police, songs were even scribbled following the incident because of your actions but the court is there to support them.
“The court will not allow that to happen again but should impose a sentence that would deter potential offenders. Your offence attracts five years imprisonment.”
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 of banning the sect for violating children’s rights and Christian laws.
Chokurongerwa then led a brutal 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. 11 of the 37 were later convicted in November 2014 and jailed for 4 years each.
After the incident, Chokurongerwa reportedly went underground for seven months before he was arrested at his rural home in Murehwa early this year.
A lengthy trial followed as his congregants desperately tried to exonerate their leader.
 |
| “People made jokes of the police, songs were even scribbled following the incident because of your actions but the court is there to support them,” said the magistrate. |
He will however, effectively serve four years after one year was suspended for five years on conditions
Chokurongerwa, 43, was found guilty of public violence when he appeared before Harare magistrate, Milton Serima, on Wednesday.
Prosecutor Francesca Mukumbiri urged a custodial sentence to help restore the tarnished image of police officers following the incident.
She said what Chokurongerwa did was unexpected of a leader of such a huge congregation.
“Your moral blameworthiness is of a very high degree,” said the prosecutor.
“As a leader you were supposed to calm down your congregants but, instead, you led the attack. Both parties were aggrieved but there were other ways issues would have been settled than assaulting.
“It is so aggravating that you assaulted police officers who were in uniform, they should be respected but you overlooked that. There is need to restore their image and, as such, a custodial sentence will be appropriate.
“Indeed you are a first offender but the police were named, shamed and ridiculed because of your actions.”
In mitigation, Chokurongerwa, who was visibly shaken, pleaded for mercy highlighting that there was no one to take care of his children if he goes to jail.
Exposed police to ridicule
However, Serima said the court would never overlook how the police was belittled.
“After your long trial the court is convinced that you are guilty as charged,” said the magistrate.
“You intentionally participated in the violence and all along you have been trying to dispute your presence taking advantage of the commotion which occurred on this date.
“You should have led by example as an ordained man of God but you have ridiculed yourself also. Your behaviour of inciting violence, let alone at your own shrine leaves a lot to be desired.
“People made jokes of the police, songs were even scribbled following the incident because of your actions but the court is there to support them.
“The court will not allow that to happen again but should impose a sentence that would deter potential offenders. Your offence attracts five years imprisonment.”
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 of banning the sect for violating children’s rights and Christian laws.
Chokurongerwa then led a brutal 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. 11 of the 37 were later convicted in November 2014 and jailed for 4 years each.
After the incident, Chokurongerwa reportedly went underground for seven months before he was arrested at his rural home in Murehwa early this year.
A lengthy trial followed as his congregants desperately tried to exonerate their leader.
- 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 -
