Magorimbo acquitted of rape

By The NewsDay | May. 28, 2015 | 1 Min read

Abundant Life Church leader, Pastor Danmore Magorimbo, has been acquitted of rape charges after the State failed to provide reasonable evidence in court.

by NQOBILE NKIWANE

Abundant Life Church leader, Pastor Danmore Magorimbo, has been acquitted of rape charges after the State failed to provide reasonable evidence in court.

Harare magistrate Adonia Masawi yesterday said the State had not proved its case that indeed the female congregant had been raped.

He also said initially, the State’s case had emerged as adultery, but along the way was changed to rape.

Masawi also dismissed evidence that the cleric had supernatural powers that put his victims into a trance,“There was no visible sign of the alleged ring that was said to contain supernatural powers, the State failed to provide reasonable evidence,” he said.

However, prosecutor Michael Reza indicated that he would make an appeal against the ruling.

Charges against Magorimbo arose after he allegedly raped the woman and subsequently solicited the help of his intercessor, Leeshalow Kambiro, to ask the woman to accept, rejoice and celebrate her “cleansing”.

Allegations had been that sometime in April last year at the church grounds in Belvedere, Magorimbo approached the woman who was in the prayer room and invited her to his office, claiming he wanted to conduct a cleansing ceremony to drive away evil spirits from her.