Arrested Zim bishop granted UK bail
GLASGOW – Agape for All Nations Ministries International church leader Archbishop Dr Walter Masocha who was arrested last week Thursday and charged with various sexual offences was granted bail on Monday.
Members of Masocha’s church and his family flooded the Sterling Sheriff Court in Scotland seating “two by two on seats meant for one person.” They were ordered to leave the courtroom and only a certain number was permitted in.
When it came to the hearing everyone was instructed to leave the courtroom and told the hearing was going to be private due to the nature of the case.
Sources close to developments have told Nehanda Radio that one of the cases Masocha is being charged with involves an under-age child and the parents have requested that the hearing be conducted in camera (where the public and press are not allowed to observe the procedure or process.)
A statement on the Agape website on Monday said “Archbishop was welcomed home by his family this evening.”
Before that the church had issued another statement saying “Archbishop was taken for questioning on Thursday. The police have to carry out this as part of their legal duties. He is due to appear in court on Monday 3 February 2014.
“We recognize that many people will be affected by this and we are fully supportive of the family and saints in the ministry. The National Executive Board has accepted the offer from the Archbishop to take leave of absence from his role to protect the name of the Ministry and also to concentrate on legal proceedings.
“An Apostolic Advisory Board (AAB) will be set up which will carry out the Apostolic Role. We will continue to update you of any further developments. All official communication will be channeled through Board Members Julius Gayakaya and Ian McHardy,” the statement read.
In October last year Nehanda Radio exclusively reported how Masocha allegedly abused a 31-year old mother, Jean Gasho, who opened up on what she claimed was the abuse she suffered at the hands of Archbishop Masocha and his church.
Budding writing Gasho told us “I want my story to be heard because people need to be made aware of the dangers of these arising Pentecostal churches and self-styled religious leaders and prophets who abuse people and take advantage of vulnerable people especially women.”
Gasho says the church left her with a broken marriage and homeless with three children after it allegedly subjected her to cruelty, abuse and bullying. Gasho and her husband of 11 years attended the church for two years in which she claims they became financially ruined as the church demanded all their wages.
So determined was Gasho she set up her own blog (He was Daddy) to document her abuse at the hands of Agape for All Nations Ministries International and Archbishop Dr Walter Masocha. Several other victims came forward and used her blog to document their own experiences. This led police in Scotland to act.
