Congregants assaulted for coming late

A Bethsaid church member in Chirumanzu took Christian doctrines a bit too far when he assaulted fellow church members for coming to church late.

Edward Kakono, 31, who resides at Bethsaid church in Govere village, Chirumanzu, appeared before Gweru Magistrate Judith Taruvinga on Thursday to answer a charge of assault.

He was  sentenced to seven months' imprisonment.

Kakono however had three months of the sentence suspended on conditions that he is not within the next five years convicted of a similar offence.

The other remaining four months were suspended on condition that he performs 140 hours of community service at Rupelile Primary School.

Prosecuting, Daniel Tafuma said on 4 September in 2012, in Govere village under Headman Govere Chirumanzu, Kakono assaulted Farai Dzoro, 23, by striking her several times all over her body with  a stick.

Kakono  also assaulted Yeukai Gororo by striking her several times all over her body with the same  stick. Kakono who assaulted Dzoro and Yeukai as they entered the church building, accused the pair of coming late for service.

A report was made to the police in Chirumanzu leading to Kakono's arrest.