Gumbura's wives begs Court not to ban their church

Jailed Robert Martin Gumbura's wives have begged the Administrative Court not to ban their church, the Independent End Time Message Ministries.

Documents from the Administrative Court - led by Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe president Archbishop Johannes Ndanga, top police officers, lawyers and judges - show that three of Gumbura's 11 wives made an impassioned plea to the probe team not to ban their church ostensibly because it would negatively affect children under the care of the church.

"His (Gumbura) wives pleaded with the probe team to permit them to carry on with their church services since the ban would make their children become heathens, so they are begging for the upliftment of that ban for services to progress since they have nowhere to carry out their services," read the court papers.

The wives said the temporary ban had affected the growth of their projects.

"Gumbura's wives also claimed that the banishment of their church had retarded the growth of their projects since they were socially responsible for the disadvantaged groups within the country, the papers say.

"Suspension has therefore affected their operations since prior to the suspension, they used to look after 200 people at their compound."

The wives said Gumbura never forced them into marriage and they all lived with their children in Malborough.

The successor to Gumbura is likely to be Kizito Kazangarare.

"In as far as leadership is concerned, Kizito Kazangarare was proclaimed to be Gumbura's assistant so there is high probability that he will be the successor," the court papers say. "The wives agreed that they are constantly communicating with Kizito (who is in United Kingdom) and they are awaiting the Administrative Court verdict to map a way forward."

The three wives, led by Gumbura's first wife, Tendai, said their husband was a benevolent man who educated orphans.

"The church is said to have assisted orphans and vulnerable children, some of whom even proceeded with their education to universities in Zimbabwe such as Catholic University, ZOU (Zimbabwe Open University) among others, while others attended primary and secondary education," the court papers say.

"Among beneficiaries were Elijah, Tungamirai, Edgar and Gift of which some are now a history in the making since they have left the compound to start their own lives overseas."

Gumbura's church vehemently denied allegations levelled against it, saying their leader was the only one who was accused of raping congregants.

"All the charity work which has been conducted over the years has been stalled and all the widows, orphans and elderly who have found shelter, food and spiritual blessings have suddenly been affected by this suspension," the church said.

The church failed to furnish the court with their constitution saying it was misplaced during the police raid. The court adjourned the proceedings, and gave the church time to find the constitution.