HARARE - The trial of jailed Independent End Time Message founder Robert Martin Gumbura in a fresh rape charge has been deferred to April 2.
Harare magistrate Fadzai Mtombeni postponed proceedings because Gumbura was not present at court due to logistics problems currently facing Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services.
The 26-year-old woman failed to appear in court when the controversial pastor’s trial on the other rape counts commenced on December 9 last year.
According to State papers, Gumbura started staying with the woman at his house in 2009 after forging an agreement with her parents.
It is alleged that the 57-year-old pastor literally adopted the woman as his child and was responsible for her school fees and general upkeep.
The court heard that in 2009, the woman was summoned by Gumbura’s secretary, Tendai Ganyani to the pastor’s office.
Upon arrival, Ganyani left and locked the door behind her, leaving the rape victim in Gumbura’s company.
Gumbura allegedly demanded sex from the woman and she refused. He removed his clothes, before grabbing the woman and forcibly taking off her clothes. He pushed her onto the floor, it is alleged.
He allegedly raped the woman, before threatening to curse her if she ever reported the matter.
After the incident, the court heard, Gumbura phoned Ganyani to return to the office and unlock the door.
The woman did not report the matter to anyone, fearing she would be cursed.
She only made a report to the police on March 18 last year after she had left the church.