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He admitted to buying a laptop, a television set, a DVD player and a two-plate electric stove with the money.
Only US$200 was recovered.
Kasumba pleaded guilty to fraud and was remanded in custody to today for sentence.
The court established that the “man of the cloth” once took the couple to a traditional healer on the border with Mozambique.
The court heard that on August 22 this year, the child went missing and appeals were made in the print and electronic media for assistance.
While the nation was still looking for the missing child, Kasumba got the parents’ mobile numbers and sent them a message saying: “Huyai tinamate Mwari anodzosa mwana wenyu” (Let’s pray. God will return your child).
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The parents responded swiftly and drove to Makoni Shopping Centre where they met Kasumba who took them to his house before taking them to the house of his senior pastor in Zengeza 4.
They conducted a prayer session at that house and later returned to Kasumba’s house where they held an all night prayer.
On October 7, Kasumba told the couple that they should travel to Mutare to meet some traditional healers who he said were involved in the abduction.
The boy’s father, Mr Onward Matapure, agreed and drove to Mutare.
In Mutare, Kasumba left Mr Matapure in the car and went to meet the traditional healers.
After about 45 minutes, Kasumba returned and ordered Mr Matapure to drive to another traditional healer in Odzi.
At Odzi, Kasumba again left Mr Matapure in the car and went into a bushy area and later ordered him to drive back to Harare.
On October 10, Kasumba called for another all-night prayer with the couple during which he asked to talk to them privately.
He told the two that he had met a certain girl in Avondale who asked for US$2 000 to release information on the whereabouts of Given.
Kasumba told the parents that the girl knew the people who were guarding the boy in Norton.
Once the couple paid the US$2 000, the pastor became evasive.
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Some church members said they were not aware of the transaction between the parents and Kasumba.
A police report was made, leading to Kasumba’s arrest on fraud charges.
Kasumba broke into tears while being questioned by provincial magistrate Mr Kudakwashe Jarabini.
“I am a pastor with the Holy Salvation Church and I get only US$100 per month. The money is too little to cater for my needs and I was tempted to swindle the couple,” he said.
“When I heard of the story I took the parents’ contact details from a poster along Fourth Street in Harare and invited them for a prayer meeting.
“I am pleading with the court for a non-custodial sentence to enable me to raise money to restitute the complainants.”
During mitigation, Mr Jarabini had to clear the courtroom after some people made noise from the gallery commenting on Kasumba’s responses.
The prosecution submitted in aggravation that the offence was very serious and Kasumba had exhibited a high degree of malice, cruelty and heartlessness by enticing the grieving couple to trust him when he knew he was deceiving them.
His moral blameworthiness, according to the State, was very high in the circumstances and Kasumba should get a lengthy prison term to deter would be offenders.
The court heard that the offence was now highly prevalent in Zimbabwe and that it involved careful planning and premeditation.
Online Reporter