Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
THE pre-sentencing hearing for Apostolic sect leader Ishmael Chokurongerwa, widely known as Madzibaba Ishmael, has been postponed to December 18.
Madzibaba Ishmael was convicted on a single count of rape on Thursday.
State prosecutor Mr Oscar Madhume requested the deferment because he intends to summon witnesses from the Social Welfare Department to conduct a victim impact assessment.
Presiding magistrate Mrs Estere Chivasa granted the application and further directed that Chokurongerwa undergoes an age estimation test to verify his claimed age of 55.
Additionally, the court ordered that Chokurongerwa be tested for HIV. Chokurongerwa impregnated the complainant, who is now aged 15.
DNA tests conducted by the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) confirmed that he fathered three children with the complainants involved in the case.
Initially, Chokurongerwa faced three counts of rape.
However, Magistrate Chivasa acquitted him of two charges, as the victims had reached the age of consent by the time those offences occurred.
The prosecution argued that Chokurongerwa abused his position as a trusted religious leader to exploit and rape young congregants under the guise of religious authority.
