Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
The trial of Madzibaba Ishmael Chokurongerwa continued today at the Norton Magistrates Court, and the defence case was finally opened.
Chokurongerwa is facing charges of ill-treating children, conducting a burial without a burial order and failing to register the birth and death of a person.
The case had stalled in recent weeks as the cleric’s defence team made applications for review and referral to the Constitutional Court, all of which were turned down due to lack of merit.
Under cross-examination by the State, led by Messrs Tafara Chirambira and Sheila Mupindu, Madzibaba Ishmael indicated that he was not the church’s leader.
However, he failed to explain why this was at variance with the affidavit he had filed at the High Court of Zimbabwe when he applied for bail.
Instead, he indicated that maybe he had attested to being the leader in error.
He also indicated that he did not know any of the other accused persons, and if they had referred to him as their leader, they were mistaken.
Chokurongerwa also indicated that he takes his children to the hospital and that if any of the church members do not seek medical help, it was out of their own free will.
Norton Provincial Magistrate, Ms Christina Nyandoro postponed the matter to May 15.
Chokurongerwa and his co-accused persons indicated that they intend to call witnesses in their defence.
