JAILED RMG End Time Message founder Robert Martin Gumbura yesterday told trial magistrate Fadzai Mthombeni that some hidden political hand was behind all the rape charges levelled against him.
BY CHARLES LAITON SENIOR COURT REPORTER
Gumbura (57) made the remarks when he appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court in leg irons to face trial on a fresh rape charge involving a 26-year-old congregant.
He is currently serving a 40-year-jail term for raping six other female congregants from his church.
Through his lawyer Advocate Thembinkosi Magwaliba, who was instructed by Rekai Maposa, Gumbura said he had consensual sexual intercourse with the complainant on several occasions and blamed politicians opposed to his polygamy teachings for concocting the rape charges.
“The accused will state that he was falsely incriminated for various political reasons since he preaches polygamy in his church and some of those who are opposed to his teachings have instigated the current rape charges,” Magwaliba said.
Gumbura further said all hell broke loose with the complainant, who could not be named in court to protect her dignity, when she decided to elope to her boyfriend who influenced her to raise the trumped-up rape charges against him. Magwaliba claimed the complainant’s boyfriend had joined a rival church.
Gumbura’s secretary Tendai Ganyani also denied being an accomplice to the rape although she was aware of the relationship between her boss and the complainant.
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Members of the Press and the public were barred from hearing the complainant’s evidence after Magwaliba successfully applied for her to testify in camera, citing her vulnerability.
