News / Religion
Masowe members try to drown rivals during baptism ceremony
03 Apr 2014 at 07:41hrs | Views
THREE members of the Johane Masowe Apostolic Church escaped death by a whisker during a baptism ceremony at Gomo Village in Madziwa last month after a rival group allegedly attempted to drown them.
The three - Maxwell Mapisa, Tawanda Sabao and Tatenda Zaranyika - claimed they were shoved into a 1,5-metre deep pool after being accused by fellow church mates of being more popular in the church.
According to court papers, the incident occurred on March 16 this year at Gomo Village in Madziwa where more than 500 church members had gathered for a baptism ceremony.
On the day in question, it is alleged Simbai Chidodo (33), Edson Mukohwa (46), Emberai Sithole (38) and Elemigio Shamuyarira (22) connived to drown their fellow congregants whom they accused of being more popular in the sect.
It is alleged the four men forced the three complainants into a vehicle belonging to one Peter Tabviroona and drove them to a secluded area along Zvisokwe River leaving other church members at the sect's usual baptism site.
After reaching a secluded spot along the river bank, the suspects allegedly dipped the victims in a pool of water.
Sithole and Mukohwa yesterday appeared before High Court judge Justice Joseph Musakwa seeking a bail order, but the matter could not proceed as their lawyer failed to turn up.
However, in his application Mukohwa urged the court to grant him bail arguing he was facing fabricated charges. He denied participating in the attempted murder and challenged the State to prove its claims.
Sithole also denied the attempted murder charge, but Mudodo and Shamuyarira could not proffer their defences as they were represented by a different law firm.
The State is represented by Innocent Muchini.
The three - Maxwell Mapisa, Tawanda Sabao and Tatenda Zaranyika - claimed they were shoved into a 1,5-metre deep pool after being accused by fellow church mates of being more popular in the church.
According to court papers, the incident occurred on March 16 this year at Gomo Village in Madziwa where more than 500 church members had gathered for a baptism ceremony.
On the day in question, it is alleged Simbai Chidodo (33), Edson Mukohwa (46), Emberai Sithole (38) and Elemigio Shamuyarira (22) connived to drown their fellow congregants whom they accused of being more popular in the sect.
It is alleged the four men forced the three complainants into a vehicle belonging to one Peter Tabviroona and drove them to a secluded area along Zvisokwe River leaving other church members at the sect's usual baptism site.
After reaching a secluded spot along the river bank, the suspects allegedly dipped the victims in a pool of water.
Sithole and Mukohwa yesterday appeared before High Court judge Justice Joseph Musakwa seeking a bail order, but the matter could not proceed as their lawyer failed to turn up.
However, in his application Mukohwa urged the court to grant him bail arguing he was facing fabricated charges. He denied participating in the attempted murder and challenged the State to prove its claims.
Sithole also denied the attempted murder charge, but Mudodo and Shamuyarira could not proffer their defences as they were represented by a different law firm.
The State is represented by Innocent Muchini.
Source - newsday
