JOHANNE Masowe eChishanu apostolic sect leader Ishmael Chokurongerwa, popularly known as Madzibaba Ishmael, will know his fate today when Harare magistrate Milton Serima delivers judgment in the case in which the cleric is facing public violence charges.
BY STAFF WRITER
Madzibaba Ishmael has been on trial since January this year following his arrest after having been on the run for almost a year. Eleven members of his church have since been jailed over the same charges that arose in May last year after they assaulted journalists, police officers and Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) members when the latter had gone to close down the church on allegations of child abuse.
It is alleged when ACCZ president Johannes Ndanga began reading out a document, the gathering started singing before Chokurongerwa challenged Ndanga to speak in Shona and not in English.
Ndanga is alleged to have ordered the police to arrest Chokurongerwa, accusing him of interjecting his speech.
Chokurongerwa allegedly started singing Umambo Hwepfumo Neropa (Kingdom of the Spear and Blood) after which the ACCZ delegation, police officers and journalists were severely assaulted.
The State was led by Francesca Mukumbiri, while Madzibaba Ishmael was represented by Harare lawyer Tawanda Takaindisa.
