Rapist Pastor's bail revoked

A POLYGAMOUS Harare pastor, Martin Robert Gumbura, suspected to be a serial rapist had his bail revoked by the High court after he allegedly threatened the victims with death if they cooperate with the police.

Gumbura, who is in custody, was admitted to bail on two occasions by the higher court before he was re-arrested on similar charges.

He is being represented by Mr Emmanuel Samundombe of Antonio and Dzvetero legal practitioners.

Justice Nicholas Mathonsi revoked Gumbura's previous bail after the State led by law officer Mr Edmore Nyazamba filed an urgent chamber application seeking his incarceration.

Mr Nyazamba said the State was in possession of video footage in which the founder of RMG End Time Message was threatening members of his congregation who might want to give testimony to the police.

The prosecution alleged that Gumbura said this recently in one of his sermons during a church service while he was on bail pending trial.

It is alleged he told them that he would commit them in the hands of the devil and that death would be imminent.

Gumbura was on Monday granted a $500 bail by the High Court before being brought back into the dock, facing two fresh counts of the same nature.

Justice Mathonsi suspended the bail up to December 9 to give the police room to complete their investigations and application for reinstatement of the bail can be made to the court after December 9.

So far seven women have come forward and reported their cases against Gumbura.