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Zvikomborero Parafini
A WITNESS says Apostolic sect leader, Madzibaba Ishmael, should be held responsible for failing to comply with the law in securing birth certificates for the children who were part of his sect.
The trial of Madzibaba Ishmael, and his seven suspected accomplices, resumed yesterday.
The second witness said the cult leader should be held responsible for failing to secure birth certificates for the children under his sect.
Madzibaba Ishmael and his accomplices — Takavengwa Gwenzi (55), Siribiniyo Chikunhire (53), Wonder Kabaya (41), Devlodge Katsande (48), Zebedia Sigudu (49), Aaron Chokurongerwa (47) and Shingirai Ngavafume (42) — all from Lilly Farm in Nyabira, are facing three counts of ill-treating children, conducting a burial without a burial order and failing to give notice of the birth and death of a person.
District public prosecutor Tafara Chirambira, and prosecutor Sheila Mupindu, led evidence from their second witness, an officer from the births and deaths registration department, Farai Gatusa, who went to Lily Farm on the day in question.
He testified that when they visited the farm, they were blocked from conducting their duties by Madzibaba Ishmael.
He told the court that they observed graves shown to them by Madzibaba Ishmael and about 48 children did not have birth certificates.
Gatusa also rejected the birth certificates shown to him by Madzibaba Ishmael’s lawyers as being documents which were obtained in June 2024, after their visit in March.
Gatusa questioned the authenticity of the birth certificates as they were uncertified copies, which he was only made aware of in court.
He said they were obtained by Madzibaba Ishmael and his accomplices to try and vindicate themselves from the offence, way after the trial had started.
The State also led the village head, Nzwanai Musonza, who confirmed that he would occasionally be called by Madzibaba Ishmael, and his accomplices, to officiate at the funerals and he thought they would have notified the authorities.
He told presiding magistrate, Christine Nyandoro, that he was shocked to learn that no action was taken to inform authorities by the church leaders. In their defence, Madzibaba Ishmael and his accomplices submitted that they did not have a guardian obligation on the minors, hence it was not their duty to take care of them.
They told the court that none of the alleged victims, nor their parents, have lodged a complaint with the police and the State should not be crying more than the bereaved.
They further stated that they did not conduct the burial of any person without notifying authorities. They also submitted that they were not the only adults at Lily Farm and should not be held accountable.
Trial resumes on June 27.
Online Reporter