A SELF-PROCLAIMED and popular Gweru “prophet” from the Johane Masowe sect, who was released from Hwahwa Prison, a week after being jailed for an effective 18 months in October last year for seriously assaulting a former congregant, is back in prison.
Report by Stephen Chadenga
Madzibaba Medaldo Ruzungunde was released from prison after appealing against the sentence at the Bulawayo High Court. The case has since sucked in a Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Maphios Cheda, who is reportedly under investigation by the Judicial Service Commission for releasing the prophet. A Gweru woman, Elizabeth Doba, lodged a complaint with the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Walter Chikwanha, protesting the release of the prophet. Ruzungunde had been imprisoned after he was convicted of assaulting Doba after she threatened to spill the beans about his alleged wayward behaviour in July 2009 when she had gone to the church to collect her belongings. An argument ensued, angering the prophet, who then assaulted Doba with fists and kicked her on the left side of the shoulder and head. She sustained permanent injuries, which resulted in her using crutches to aid her walking. In March this year NewsDay carried a story where Ruzungunde showered praises on President Robert Mugabe at a mass prayer to honour the Zanu PF leader during his 89th birthday celebrations. This led to investigations, which revealed that the prophet had been released from jail under unclear circumstances. On Monday, Ruzungunde was picked up after a warrant of arrest was issued by a Gweru regional magistrate. His appeal to the High Court has since been rendered unprocedural and he will serve his 18-month prison term.
