HARARE - Wives of Independent End Time Message founder Robert Martin Gumbura, currently facing multiple rape charges, claim they are one happy family and dispelled Satanism charges against their church.
Four of Gumbura’s 11 wives are also appearing before the Harare Magistrates’ Court accused of contravening the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act, after being found in possession of 16 pornographic DVDs and 57 photographs.
They are jointly charged with four other church members.
Choice Neganye, 32, Amadeus Mutakwa, 32, Rutendo Sekai Mandiya, 28, Pamela Kandawire, 27, Runyararo Musvosvi, 27, Veronica Mbanga, 27, Tendai Kwatara, 34 and Moreblessing Takawira, 35, are currently on $30 bail each.
The women, who came back to court for their routine remand yesterday, could not hide their support for their husband to an extent of claiming that charges against him were false.
The women looked neatly dressed in designer clothes and shoes, showing that their lives were in “good shape”.
Each of the wives boasts of a house and a car. They could not hide their pride at being Gumbura’s wives.
Soon after their matter was postponed to January 7, 2014 to allow the State to get authority from the prosecutor general, the women called reporters aside, seeking to “give our side of the story”.
They posed for a photo opportunity without hesitation, showing off their designer shoes, openly declaring that Gumbura was more than a man — good enough for all of them.
Queen Bunga, Gumbura’s second wife, could not hide her joy at being the eldest of the pastor’s women that were at court.
“I am the VP (Vice President). I command all of them,” Bunga said, as the other women cheered her.
She said given a chance, she would form an association to champion polygamy and teach people how to live peacefully in such a set up.
“We are not Satanists. We pray in the name of Jesus. It is only a matter of doctrine, which is not different from that of any church,” she said, challenging radio presenters to invite the women for an interview so that they tell their side of the story.
She said the issue was about leadership wrangles and a misunderstanding of the church doctrine, which resulted in criminal charges being raised against her husband.
With 30 children, the women said Gumbura was free to get more wives, since they had no problem with it, claiming they had even approached one of the church women who were present yesterday to join them. The nominee wife said she was still thinking about the proposal.
Meanwhile, Gumbura’s rape trial is set to begin next Monday.