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Freeman Razemba and Tendai Rupapa
FUGITIVE Johanne Masowe eChishanu Apostolic Sect leader Madzibaba Ishmael Chokurongerwa — whose followers attacked the police, journalists and religious officials in Budiriro, Harare, last year — was arrested in Murehwa yesterday.
He had been in hiding since May last year.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the arrest.
“The ZRP would like to confirm the arrest of Ishmael Chokurongerwa (43), alias Madzibaba Ishmael in Murehwa on January 2, 2015. Chokurongerwa, a wanted person, was on the run from May 29, 2014 to January 1, 2015.
“He is facing Public Violence and charges under the Children’s Protection Act in connection with events that occurred at the Johanne Masowe eChishanu Budiriro shrine where policemen and a ZBC cameraman were assaulted and injured.”
He was yesterday transferred from Murehwa to Harare for further investigations.
Meanwhile, police successfully applied for a warrant of further detention for Madzibaba Ishmael to Monday.
The application was made before Mr Milton Serima in his chambers.
Police said the reason for their application is that valuable time was lost yesterday through travelling as he had to be transferred from Murehwa to Harare.
According to Section 50 of the Constitution, an accused person must appear before a competent court within 48 hours of arrest. Therefore police had to make the application as they realised they could not meet the deadline.
Madzibaba Ishmael was believed to be hiding at an area known as PaCross in Murehwa.
Members of the Johanne Masowe eChishanu Apostolic sect attacked policemen in riot gear, journalists and members of the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe at their shrine.
This was after ACCZ president Archbishop Johannes Ndanga had announced that the sect had been banned for violating national and Christian laws.
There were allegations of widespread abuse of women in the sect, with children barred from attending school.
When they arrived at the shrine, Archbishop Ndanga, the court heard, delivered his address while the gathering sang and challenged him to speak in Shona.
Archbishop Ndanga then told the police to arrest a congregant who was constantly heckling him.
In protest, other congregants started singing a song called: “Umambo Hwepfumo Neropa,” a tune that incited the worshippers to assault the delegation using shepherd’s crooks and stones.
In November, 11 members of the Johanne Masowe eChishanu jailed recently for the assault appealed against their four-year sentence.
They filed their notice of appeal against conviction and sentence before Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe.
The 11 are Kudzanayi Kusekwa (31), Cabson Chandaona (43), Tichafa Madyegora (41), Johannes Makumbe (39), Takavengwa Gwenzi (46), Ndumiso Moyo (33), Alexio Kanhema (37), Clement Chimutso (47), Madzimure Madzimure (36), Charles Matanga (42) and Darlington Mambayo (46).
They were sentenced to an effective four years in prison each after they were found guilty of assault.
They were initially sentenced to five years in prison, but one year was suspended for five years.
The other 26 sect members were acquitted after the State failed to prove a case against them.
Online Reporter