News / National
AFM pastor in court for indecent assault
2 hrs ago |
100 Views
A pastor from the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) church in Glenview has appeared in court facing allegations of indecent assault involving a female congregant.
Tawanda Murombedzi appeared before Mbare Magistrates Court on Friday, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge. He is being represented by lawyer Brian Kashangura, while the matter is being presided over by magistrate Batiraishe Zishiri.
According to the prosecution, the alleged incident occurred on church premises shortly after a church service had ended. It is alleged that Murombedzi indecently assaulted the complainant, who is a member of the same congregation.
The woman later reported the matter to the police, leading to Murombedzi's arrest.
In his defence, Murombedzi denied the allegations, claiming the complainant was fabricating the accusation for reasons "known to herself." He told the court that her conduct after the alleged incident was inconsistent with that of a victim.
Murombedzi said that at some point during the alleged incident, a church caretaker entered the building to check who was inside, yet the complainant did not attempt to flee, seek help or raise an alarm.
He further argued that other congregants were nearby at the time and that the complainant's home was about 800 metres away, which he said would have allowed her to seek assistance if she felt threatened.
Murombedzi also told the court that after cleaning the church, he escorted the complainant home in what he described as a "normal and calm manner," adding that this did not align with the behaviour of someone who had committed an assault.
He suggested that the allegations may have been motivated by the complainant's recent exclusion from attending a Sunday school camp.
Magistrate Zishiri postponed the matter to February 9 for the continuation of the trial.
Tawanda Murombedzi appeared before Mbare Magistrates Court on Friday, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge. He is being represented by lawyer Brian Kashangura, while the matter is being presided over by magistrate Batiraishe Zishiri.
According to the prosecution, the alleged incident occurred on church premises shortly after a church service had ended. It is alleged that Murombedzi indecently assaulted the complainant, who is a member of the same congregation.
The woman later reported the matter to the police, leading to Murombedzi's arrest.
In his defence, Murombedzi denied the allegations, claiming the complainant was fabricating the accusation for reasons "known to herself." He told the court that her conduct after the alleged incident was inconsistent with that of a victim.
Murombedzi said that at some point during the alleged incident, a church caretaker entered the building to check who was inside, yet the complainant did not attempt to flee, seek help or raise an alarm.
He further argued that other congregants were nearby at the time and that the complainant's home was about 800 metres away, which he said would have allowed her to seek assistance if she felt threatened.
Murombedzi also told the court that after cleaning the church, he escorted the complainant home in what he described as a "normal and calm manner," adding that this did not align with the behaviour of someone who had committed an assault.
He suggested that the allegations may have been motivated by the complainant's recent exclusion from attending a Sunday school camp.
Magistrate Zishiri postponed the matter to February 9 for the continuation of the trial.
Source - The Standard
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
