News / National
Gumbura's secretary 'not guilty'
08 Mar 2014 at 13:26hrs | Views
Tendai Ganyani, secretary of RMG Independent End Time Message Church leader, Martin Robert Gumbura, who was facing charges of possessing p*rnographic material was yesterday acquitted at the Harare Magistrates' Courts of all charges due to lack of evidence.
Magistrate Don Ndirowei ruled that the state had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that she was in total control of the obscene material.
"The accused was denying that she was found in possession of the p*rnographic material arguing that they were in the girls dormitory and storeroom awaiting to be burnt.
"The question to be answered is whether Gamanya was in possession or in total control of the obscene material as an employee of Gumbura.
"The answer is no. Gumbura had total control of the material as he was the sole owner of the church. The state failed to prove its case and, therefore, the accused is found not guilty," said Ndirowei.
After the verdict, there was jubilation outside the courtroom with Gumbura's brother Innocent and his (Gumbura) second wife, Queen Bunga, celebrating the acquittal.
"Go and write positively about the judgement," said an elated Bunga.
Innocent declined to comment. "Don't worry, we will give an exclusive interview, time will come, just be patient," he said.
According to the state, Ganyani (26), who also stays at Gumbura's house, 6 Helena close Marlborough, Harare, was found in possession of 16 p*rnographic DVDs, two p*rnographic magazines and 57 p*rnographic pictures.
The state alleges that on October 21 last year, police officers from the Victim Friendly Unit received a tip off that children and women were being abused at Gumbura's house.
It is alleged police officers proceeded to Gumbura's house to carry out some investigations. While conducting some searches, it is alleged the police officers recovered some p*rnographic material in Ganyani's drawer in her office at Gumbura's house.
The state took the material to the Censorship and Entertainments Board for vetting and the chairperson of board of censors, Heya Malaba, concluded that all the materials were indecent, obscene and offensive.
The photographs were produced in court as exhibit.
Ganyani was represented by Rekayi Maphosa while Michael Reza appeared for the state.
Magistrate Don Ndirowei ruled that the state had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that she was in total control of the obscene material.
"The accused was denying that she was found in possession of the p*rnographic material arguing that they were in the girls dormitory and storeroom awaiting to be burnt.
"The question to be answered is whether Gamanya was in possession or in total control of the obscene material as an employee of Gumbura.
"The answer is no. Gumbura had total control of the material as he was the sole owner of the church. The state failed to prove its case and, therefore, the accused is found not guilty," said Ndirowei.
After the verdict, there was jubilation outside the courtroom with Gumbura's brother Innocent and his (Gumbura) second wife, Queen Bunga, celebrating the acquittal.
"Go and write positively about the judgement," said an elated Bunga.
According to the state, Ganyani (26), who also stays at Gumbura's house, 6 Helena close Marlborough, Harare, was found in possession of 16 p*rnographic DVDs, two p*rnographic magazines and 57 p*rnographic pictures.
The state alleges that on October 21 last year, police officers from the Victim Friendly Unit received a tip off that children and women were being abused at Gumbura's house.
It is alleged police officers proceeded to Gumbura's house to carry out some investigations. While conducting some searches, it is alleged the police officers recovered some p*rnographic material in Ganyani's drawer in her office at Gumbura's house.
The state took the material to the Censorship and Entertainments Board for vetting and the chairperson of board of censors, Heya Malaba, concluded that all the materials were indecent, obscene and offensive.
The photographs were produced in court as exhibit.
Ganyani was represented by Rekayi Maphosa while Michael Reza appeared for the state.
Source - zimmail
