By Fungai Lupande
HARARE – Jailed Independent End Time Message leader Robert Martin Gumbura’s youngest and 11th wife on Wednesday appeared to be pregnant as she attended her husband’s trial at the Harare Magistrates’ Court.
Bester Runyowa (25) appeared at the court with a visible bulge on her stomach, almost two years after Gumbura’s incarceration.
The bulge follows revelations in the same court that her husband had unfettered freedom in prison that included his own private corner, bodyguards, a secretary and unquestionable permission that allowed his wives to bring in 960 bricks of cigarettes.
The bulge has heightened speculation on whether Gumbura is also enjoying his conjugal rights while in prison.
Gumbura was sentenced to an effective 40-year jail term on four counts of rape involving three women and possessing pornographic material in February last year.
Runyowa was spotted when she came to attend her husband’s jailbreak trial in which he is accused with eight others of masterminding a foiled jailbreak at Chikurubi Maximum Prison on Wednesday.
During the jailbreak trial, State witness Claudius Mutizwa told the court that Gumbura is regarded as a “godfather” and prison officers beg for food from him.
Gumbura’s brother, Wilson, vehemently denied that the pregnant woman is one of Gumbura’s wives.
“The pregnant woman is not one of Gumbura’s wives. She is just a member of the congregation. Remember that a lot of people stay at Gumbura’s house at No. 6 Helena Close in Marlborough, Harare.
“All the 11 wives are there and still waiting for him.”
However, about seven wives are religiously following their husband’s trial.
Gumbura went to jail, leaving behind his 11 adoring wives. Three of his wives, who were pregnant at the time he was jailed, have since given birth. The Herald
