State to contest acquittal of Bishop charged with rape

HARARE – The State has indicated that it will appeal against the acquittal of Abundant Life Ministries Bishop, Danmore Magorimbo, who was facing accusations of raping his female congregant.

Magorimbo is alleged to have raped the woman saying that he wanted to cleanse her of evil spirits that were being cast by her husband through semen.

Prosecutor, Michael Reza, told the court that he will file the application against the court’s decision within a few days.

“If it can be put on record that the State will file an application against the acquittal.

“The State will file the application within the few days to come,” he said.

This was after magistrate Adonai Masawi cleared Magorimbo of the rape charges he was facing.

Magistrate Masawi also cleared the man of cloth of two other sexual offences after he applied for discharge before being put to his defence case.

The court said it failed to find satisfactory evidence that point out that Magorimbo raped the woman in question.

“The concept of being supernatural is not easy before the courts]. Even the rings or the power that he is said to have were not visible to the court.

“Another witness (the complainant’s friend) indicated that she did not lose track of what was happening which the complainant called angelic dancing.

“It would be difficult to pick as to why the powers would be selective in this case.

“The court was unable to believe why she was quick to forget on what happened to her.

“Although specific Christian teachings might differ, the court was unable to find reference in the Bible,” he said.

Magistrate Masawi also said that the court failed to establish as to why the woman withheld the rape incident even after her husband stumbled upon the recording that she had.

“That fact alone leaves a bitter taste in the court’s mouth. Failure to refer to rape in recording and the bedroom letter cast doubt on the State’s case.

“To say there was no consent is not proper in this case.

“The court did not find satisfactory evidence that the accused raped the complainant,” said magistrate Masawi before acquitting Magorimbo. H Metro