News / National
Rapist pastor's trial opens
05 Mar 2015 at 17:19hrs | Views
The trial of Abundant Life Global Ministries pastor, Danmore Magorimbo, who is facing charges of rape, opened at the Harare Magistrate Court, amid startling revelations that the man of cloth claims to have magical powers to turn people into zombies.
Pastor Magorimbo is facing charges of indecent assault, attempted murder and rape, but is denying all the three charges.
The trial kicked off with the defence questioning the decision by the state to conduct the trial in a victim friendly court, saying the complainant is an adult who must testify in a common court.
The state represented by Mr Michael Reza stuck to its guns, arguing that the witness is vulnerable and if she has eye contact with the accused, she will lose her normal mental state.
The defence led by Mr Charles Chinyama retorted the statement insinuated that the accused has powers to cast evil spells but the court ruled in favour of the state, agreeing the victim is indeed vulnerable.
The accused through his lawyers denied all the charges, arguing that the complainant consented to having sex with the man of cloth.
The defence further stated that despite being a pastor, Magorimbo has human feelings and can be tempted, adding that the complainant was the one asking to be intimate with him.
However, the complainant said she joined Magorimbo's church to seek spiritual deliverance after suffering from mental problems.
She narrated that the accused and his wife took her as their own daughter and she became very comfortable in telling them all her marital problems which Magorimbo however capitalised on for financial gain.
The complainant revealed that she used to steal money from her husband giving it to Pastor Magorimbo.
The complaint also claimed that Pastor Magorimbo was considered to be getting instructions directly from God, meaning no one else could challenge him.
The witness said Pastor Magorimbo tricked her into believing that her husband was satan and every time she became intimate with him, he will impart evil spirits into her.
The complainant alleged that Pastor Magorimbo misrepresented to her that he wanted to drive out evil spirits and after laying hands on her forehead, she became unconscious and was raped by the accused.
The trial continues on Friday.
Pastor Magorimbo is facing charges of indecent assault, attempted murder and rape, but is denying all the three charges.
The trial kicked off with the defence questioning the decision by the state to conduct the trial in a victim friendly court, saying the complainant is an adult who must testify in a common court.
The state represented by Mr Michael Reza stuck to its guns, arguing that the witness is vulnerable and if she has eye contact with the accused, she will lose her normal mental state.
The defence led by Mr Charles Chinyama retorted the statement insinuated that the accused has powers to cast evil spells but the court ruled in favour of the state, agreeing the victim is indeed vulnerable.
The accused through his lawyers denied all the charges, arguing that the complainant consented to having sex with the man of cloth.
The defence further stated that despite being a pastor, Magorimbo has human feelings and can be tempted, adding that the complainant was the one asking to be intimate with him.
However, the complainant said she joined Magorimbo's church to seek spiritual deliverance after suffering from mental problems.
She narrated that the accused and his wife took her as their own daughter and she became very comfortable in telling them all her marital problems which Magorimbo however capitalised on for financial gain.
The complainant revealed that she used to steal money from her husband giving it to Pastor Magorimbo.
The complaint also claimed that Pastor Magorimbo was considered to be getting instructions directly from God, meaning no one else could challenge him.
The witness said Pastor Magorimbo tricked her into believing that her husband was satan and every time she became intimate with him, he will impart evil spirits into her.
The complainant alleged that Pastor Magorimbo misrepresented to her that he wanted to drive out evil spirits and after laying hands on her forehead, she became unconscious and was raped by the accused.
The trial continues on Friday.
Source - zbc
