Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
MARONDERA magistrate Mr Ashton Dube has remanded a father and his daughter in custody after the duo allegedly kidnapped a family member, whom they wanted to force to join their church.
Godfrey Dzumbunu (76) and Liviah Dzumbunu (52) from Zengeza in Chitungwiza appeared before the Marondera Magistrates Court on Saturday and were remanded in custody to today.
The duo allegedly orchestrated the kidnapping of Mrs Otilia Fore (53) on April 6, 2025, in Marondera.
Mrs Fore is Godfrey Dzumbunu’s daughter and an elder sister to Liviah.
Godfrey Dzumbunu did not want Mrs Fore to continue worshipping at the Assemblies of God-Spiritual Movement and preferred that she joins the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) where he is a member.
Prosecutor Mr Rechard Sitotombe alleged that on April 6, 2025 at around 8 am, some suspects went to Mrs Fore’s place of residence in Rujeko, Marondera on the instruction of the duo and commanded her to accompany them to Chitungwiza, saying that her father Godfrey Dzumbunu wanted to see her.
He said that Mrs Fore refused and the suspects grabbed and forced her into their car before speeding off.
“The complainant shouted for help but no one heard her,” Mr Sitotombe said.
The prosecutor told the court that Mrs Fore was taken to a shrine in Chitungwiza where she was forced to drink an unknown concoction.
While in Chitungwiza, Mr Sitotombe said a missing person’s report was made in Marondera.
Mrs Fore, he said, was later rescued at a house in Chitungwiza and taken to Makoni Police Station before she was transferred to Marondera.
