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Senior AFM pastor faces 5 counts of rape

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A PROMINENT Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Harare pastor, Oliver Makomo, attached at Springvale, Ruwa assembly, was yesterday taken to court on allegations of raping a 22-year-old congregant.

A PROMINENT Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Harare pastor, Oliver Makomo, attached at Springvale, Ruwa assembly, was yesterday taken to court on allegations of raping a 22-year-old congregant.

BY MARY TARUVINGA

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Makomo appeared before magistrate Tendai Mahwe and was released on $100 bail with reporting conditions. He was charged with four counts of rape and one of indecent assault and will be back in court on September 8.

The State alleges that the alleged victim, who resides in Hatcliffe, was Makomo’s congregant since 2012.

It is alleged that sometime in 2012, Makomo approached the girl, who was then working at a local supermarket as a till operator, and asked for her phone number.

The two started communicating and on one occasion, the complainant, who had nose-bleeding problems, called Makomo for prayers.

According to prosecutors, Makomo invited her to his office where he prayed for her.

Makomo then allegedly closed the door after the prayer and went on to fondle, kiss and insert his fingers in the girl’s private parts, telling her repeatedly she was going to be well. The girl left and did not tell anyone of the alleged sexual attack because of the trust she had in her pastor and because of the relationship which was between her parents and Makomo.

The State further alleges that Makomo called the girl to his house during the same year. She found the pastor and his family at home and there were some visitors.

Prosecutors allege that he then left with the visitors, but told the complainant not to leave in his absence. The girl complied and slept over, but during the night, Makomo allegedly sneaked into the spare bedroom where she was sleeping and raped her once.

The girl left the following morning and in 2014, Makomo’s maid invited the complainant to the pastor’s home. It is alleged Makomo again sneaked into the spare bedroom during the night and raped her once without protection. She again did not tell anyone for the same reasons.

According to the State, on December 23 the same year, Makomo allegedly called the girl to his place of residence while he was alone. He gave the complainant keys to the house and ordered her to get inside. Makomo then allegedly followed her and raped her once without using protection.

In August last year, the complainant confided to her boyfriend, who then confronted the pastor complaining about the issue.

Sebastian Mutizirwa appeared for the State.