adminSukoluhle Ndlovu Midlands Correspondent
A pastor at The Covenant Temple Church in Gweru allegedly raped and impregnated his 18-year-old maid before forcing her to terminate the pregnancy with the help of other church members. The matter came to light when Hronemous Guyo (37), who lives at house number 5402 Mkoba 15, was arraigned before Gweru Magistrate Ms Mildred Matuvi charged with rape.
He pleaded not guilty and was remanded out to custody to April 20 on $50 bail.
Gory details of how Guyo impregnated two other female congregants and forced them to abort emerged in court when the complainant testified.
“Your worship, I lived with this man as his maid last year. He raped me twice on different occasions and l got pregnant. When l told him that l was pregnant, he got angry and he ordered me to abort the pregnancy of which l vehemently denied. One day he took me to Population Services clinic in Mkoba 13 together with other church leaders. When we got to the clinic, I was given a pill by a staffer at the clinic and she later told me it was an abortion pill,” said the complainant.
The complainant told the court that she was encouraged to report the case by two other women from the church who also suffered the same fate.
“I disclosed the matter to my two church colleagues as l was seeking help. They told me that they were also impregnated by the prophet and he also forced them to terminate the pregnancies. We then decided that l should report the matter to put a stop to women and girl abuse by the so called prophet,” said the complainant.
In his defence, Guyo told the court that he never raped the complainant saying that she was his girlfriend.
“I started staying with the complainant last year as she was my maid. I proposed love to her and she agreed. We would have sex on several occasions just like any other normal couple, l did not rape her. She just wants to destroy my reputation and l have since stepped down as a pastor,” said Guyo.
Prosecuting, Miss Gracious Rongai said some time in October last year, the accused went to complainant’s room and found her naked since she had just finished bathing.
He locked the door and proceeded to the complainant who quickly took a cloth and covered her naked body.
Guyo started fondling the complainant who tried to escape but failed as the door was locked.
The accused then raped the complainant once.
In November 2017, Guyo took the complainant to a bush in Mkoba 19 for prayers. He allegedly had sexual intercourse with the complainant without her consent.
Online Reporter