INCARCERATED RTG Independent End Time Message Church founder Robert Martin Gumbura will know his fate today when regional magistrate Hosea Mujaya delivers judgment on eight counts of rape filed against him by former church members.
BY CHARLES LAITON SENIOR COURT REPORTER The man of the cloth, who has been in custody since November last year, was also tried for allegedly being found in possession of pornographic materials of some of his 11 wives, charges he has since denied.
The rape trial was completed two weeks ago following an inspection in loco by magistrate Mujaya at Gumbura’s mansion where the rape incidents allegedly occurred.
While judgment will be delivered today, the man of the cloth will at the same time eagerly wait to hear the outcome of his bail application at the High Court on a fresh rape charge.
The bail application was filed by his lawyer Rekai Maposa.
Following the announcement of the judgment date by Mujaya early this month, Gumbura immediately filed an application for bail at the High Court in respect of a fresh rape charge for which he is yet to stand trial.
Yesterday, High Court judge Justice Ester Muremba postponed the ruling on Gumbura’s application for bail after hearing submissions by both the State and defence, saying she would want to go through Justice Nicholas Mathonsi’s judgment, since he initially dealt with other Gumbura’s bail applications.
At one point, Gumbura provisionally breathed a sigh of relief after the Prosecutor General’s Office hinted that the State’s case was weak and consented to his granting of bail.
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However, immediately after being thrown a lifeline, more rape allegations emerged from the police and Gumbura was again remanded in custody.
Yesterday, Maposa argued that her client was remanded in custody by consent after she realised that the police were levelling new rape charges against him in a “piece-meal” manner and as such she wanted the matters to be consolidated hence the revocation of bail by the State.
Innocent Muchini appeared for the State.
