Rapist pastor 'Gumbura' fresh rape trial postponed again

THE trial of convicted RMG End Time Message leader Robert Martin Gumbura for allegedly raping a girl he had adopted failed to start yesterday after the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service failed to bring prisoners to court owing to logistical challenges.

Gumbura, who is serving a 40-year jail term for rape, allegedly raped the minor with the assistance of his secretary, Tendai Ganyani.

Ganyani, who is on bail, appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Fadzai Mtombeni yesterday.

Gumbura's lawyers lodged a complaint with the court over the failure by the State to bring his client to court and indicated that she will apply for refusal of further remand if it happens again.

"All the postponements in the matter are at the instance of the State. We were ready to proceed and the accused wants to know their fate.

"The State should make a final commitment to bring Gumbura to court on the next remand date, if State fails we will make an application for refusal of further remand," she said.

The State alleges that Gumbura took advantage of an underprivileged girl and raped her with the help of Ganyani.

Ganyani allegedly ordered the girl to go into Gumbura's office and locked the door from outside.

After raping the girl, it is alleged, Gumbura phoned Ganyani to unlock the door.

The matter was remanded to tomorrow.