Gumbura’s fresh rape trial continues

By Tendai Rupapa

A witness in the trial of jailed RGM Independent End Time Message leader Robert Martin Gumbura yesterday told the court that he had to negotiate with the disgraced pastor to release his niece whom he was allegedly sexually abusing. 

Gumbura is accused of raping the church member with the help of his secretary, Tendai Ganyani.

During the trial, the court gallery was full, with Gumbura’s 11 wives in attendance to show loyalty and support to their husband.

Gumbura is said to have raped the woman while Ganyani was on guard after locking the door from outside.

Gumbura and Ganyani are being represented by Advocate Thembinkosi Magwaliba and Ms Rekai Maposa.

In his evidence-in-chief while being led by Ms Kudzai Chigwedere, the witness said he had to follow the victim to Gumbura’s house following a tip-off.

“I stayed with the complainant in December 2009 after the death of her mother,” he said. “I took her from Chitungwiza where she had sought employment as a domestic worker.

“I came to know Pastor Gumbura after the complainant had left my residence in the company of my nine-year-old son. I became worried because they had not returned by 5pm and started looking for them.

“I called my son-in-law, who is married to the victim’s sister, who then told me that he had last seen the victim in the afternoon while she was going to church. He then gave me Gumbura’s address and advised me to go and check at his house.

The witness said he got to Gumbura’s house around 7pm, but was barred from entering by security guards.

He said he then peeped through a hole on the gate and saw his son in the yard and that was when he was allowed in.

The witness said he had to engage Gumbura in long negotiations before he was allowed to take the two with him.

He said Gumbura argued that the victim was at his house with the blessings of her father.

During cross-examination by Adv Magwaliba, the witness said he could not remember much since the incident occurred in 2009.

Adv Magwaliba argued that the complainant was aged 24 in 2009, hence she was in a position to make her own decisions.

Magistrate Mrs Fadzai Mtombeni rolled over the matter to today for continuation.

The State alleged that Gumbura took advantage of the underprivileged girl and raped her with Ganyani’s help.

Ganyani allegedly ordered the girl to go into Gumbura’s office before locking the door from outside. She only unlocked the door after being phoned by Gumbura, the court was told. The Herald