Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
APOSTOLIC sect leader, Madzibaba Ishmael Chokurongerwa, who was recently convicted of raping and impregnating a minor congregant from his church, is scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday.
This follows a pre-sentence hearing held yesterday.
At yesterday’s hearing, State prosecutor Mr Oscah Madhume called social worker Brenda Gombiro to testify and provide a victim impact statement.
Gombiro described the incident as a grave abuse of power and urged the court to impose a severe sentence on Chokurongerwa.
“What happened to this minor is deeply disheartening,” Mr Gombiro told presiding magistrate Mrs Estere Chivasa.
“As a professional social worker, I can confidently say that rape is one of the most traumatic experiences for any child. In this case, the power dynamics within the church made it even worse. Children look up to their elders for protection, but here, that trust was betrayed. A lengthy jail term would serve as justice and act as a deterrent.”
Mr Gombiro further testified that the victim, despite support efforts, had struggled to open up about her ordeal.
“What surprised me was that the child was reluctant to share what had happened, even in a safe environment. Normally, children who have experienced abuse disclose their experiences when they feel secure.
“Her silence suggested deep emotional damage,” Mr Gombiro said, adding that the victim had lost self-esteem and displayed signs of severe psychological distress.
The court also heard that the minor lacked a birth certificate, and when questioned about this, she revealed it was not considered important in their church.
Mr Gombiro reinforced the need for specialised counselling and professional support to help rehabilitate the child, rebuild her confidence, and guide her back to school.
“When I engaged her during psycho-social support sessions, she could not even participate in group activities like netball or volleyball. She simply sat under a tree, crying. This child needs comprehensive care to regain her self-esteem and rebuild her life,” added Mr Gombiro.
The State and Chokurongerwa’s legal team are expected to file written submissions for aggravation and mitigation ahead of the sentencing.
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