Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau
A 35-year-old Zvishavane pastor has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for sexually assaulting an 18-year-old congregant after threatening to shoot him during a visit to the victim’s home in Redcliff.
Severino Mbwende, a pastor at New Creation Life Church, appeared before Kwekwe regional magistrate Ms Rumbidzai Mugwagwa charged with aggravated indecent assault.
He was convicted after denying the charges, and Ms Mugwagwa sentenced him to an 18-year prison term.
It was the State’s case that on August 10, at around 11pm, Mbwende went to bed with the complainant while visiting the family.
At about 1.30am, the court heard that the complainant woke up to find the pastor caressing him.
According to court papers, the complainant questioned Mbwende’s actions, but the accused forcibly removed his boxer shorts despite resistance.
The court heard that Mbwende then threatened to shoot the complainant with a gun if he screamed or resisted.
Out of fear, the complainant complied.
Mbwende ordered the complainant to lie on his stomach before sodomising him.
The pastor repeated the offence two more times that same night.
Afterwards, Mbwende warned the complainant that he would shoot him if he disclosed the matter to anyone.
He later left for Zvishavane at around 6.30am, where he works.
The complainant later confided in his aunt, who assisted him in making a police report, leading to Mbwende’s arrest.
