The trial of Apostolic sect leader Madzibaba Ishmael Chokurongerwa and seven others took an emotional turn last Friday.
In court, Memory Munanairi, the mother of the deceased Hazel, broke down while giving her testimony.
Prosecutors Tafara Chirambira and Sheila Mupindu presented Munanairi as their eleventh witness. Munanairi described how Chokurongerwa was worshipped as a ‘god’ at their Nyabira shrine.
She explained that the church’s rules gave husbands total control over their wives and household property. Women were not allowed to question their husbands or seek medical help outside the shrine.
According to Munanairi, every male adult was required to have multiple wives, and those who did not risked curses or death. Wives were responsible for finding additional wives for their husbands. There was no payment of lobola (bride price) instead, parents received groceries.
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Munanairi’s daughter Hazel, married at 15, had her children without any registration or schooling. Munanairi, unable to challenge Chokurongerwa, was eventually expelled from the shrine. She returned only with police escort after learning of Hazel’s secret death and burial.
The trial continues today. Chokurongerwa (54) and his co-accused Takavengwa Gwenzi (55), Siribiniyo Chikunhire (53), Wonder Kabaya (41), Devlodge Katsande (48), Zebedia Sigudu (49), Aaron Chokurongerwa (47), and Shingirai Ngavafume (42) face charges including mistreatment of children, conducting unauthorized burials, and failing to report births and deaths.
They argue they had no guardianship duties and that no formal complaints were made to the police. They also deny performing any unreported burials. Madzibaba Ishmael Chokurongerwa
