Online Reporter
Latwell Nyangu
A Chitungwiza man allegedly kidnapped his daughter before forcing her to drink a concoction as part of an exorcism to join his church.
The man, Godfrey Dzumbunu,76, of Chitungwiza who is also a member of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) was charged along with his daughter Liviah Dzumbunu (52), who is the complainant’s younger sister. The complainant is Otilia Fore and is a member of the Assemblies of God-Spiritual Movement (AoG-SM) based in Marondera.
Dzumbunu was arraigned before a Marondera magistrate on Saturday, facing kidnapping charges.
Dzumbunu and his daughter will return to court today for bail hearing.
It is alleged that on April 6, at around 8 am, five people, mainly relatives, some still at large approached the complainant at her residence in Rujeko suburb Marondera.
While at the house, they commanded her to accompany them to her father, who wanted to see her.
According to the State, the complainant reportedly refused the order that the five accused gave her.
Further allegations are that the accused persons then grabbed Fore and bundled her into their vehicle and drove her to Chitungwiza.
While in Chitungwiza, Fore was told to dump her Christian denomination as the family was against its doctrine. The State led by Richard Sitotombe is also alleging that the complainant was taken to a ZCC shrine in Chitungwiza for exorcism against her wishes.
At the shrine, Fore was forced to drink a ‘concoction’ as part of the exorcism.
A report was lodged with the police in Marondera after Fore went missing leading to investigations.
She was rescued by police at a residence in Chitungwiza and taken to Makoni Police Station, where she stayed for the night before being transferred to Marondera.
