Madzibaba denies violence charges as trial opens

The trial of Johanne Masowe eChishanu Apostolic sect leader Ishmael Chokurongerwa - popularly known as Madzibaba Ishmael Mufani - opened at the Harare Magistrates Court yesterday with the sect leader denying the violence charges levelled against him.

Chokurongerwa's lawyer Tawanda Takaindisa told presiding magistrate Milton Serima that his client was wrongly accused as he was out of Harare at the time when his followers allegedly attacked police officers and journalists at his Budiriro shrine in May last year.

But a police officer, Stanley Tafireyi, told the court that he saw Chokurongerwa at the shrine on the day in question as he was part of a team that escorted Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) officials to close down the shrine.

When they arrived, (ACCZ president Johannes) Ndanga conversed briefly with Madzibaba Ishmael.

When Ndanga started addressing the gathering, someone stood up and said he should address them in Shona because there was no white person present.