The event, which saw police closing down part of 5th Street in Gweru’s central business district, was funded by Smelly Dube – one of the women fighting war veterans for control of Samabhula diamond fields. She also caused controversy after partnering Zanu (PF) Buhera North MP William Mutomba to form a mining firm, Midkwe Minerals, which grabbed Kwekwe-based Chaka Gold Plant from its Australian owner Lee Jones.
Medaldo Ruzungunde (47), who led the apostolic church based in the medium density suburb of Ivene, last year pleaded guilty to seriously assaulting fellow congregant Elizabeth Doba leading to her disability.
A medical report put forward in court said Doba would be crippled for the rest of her life due to the attack by Ruzungunde. Magistrate Msipa slapped him with an 18-month jail term, saying it was “only appropriate to have him removed from society for a long time in order to allow the complainant and other congregants who had been traumatised by the incident to heal.”
Congregants were surprised to see him at the meeting. “We thought he was still serving his sentence. How come in less than three months he is free?” asked one congregant.
During his lengthy sermon at the gathering attended by Governor Jaison Machaya and senior Zanu (PF) officials, Ruzungunde said Mugabe was a blameless leader who should reach at least 120 years of age.
“Zimbabwe is blessed to have such a leader as President Mugabe. He is our president not because of anyone’s will but God’s plan. So no one should oppose his rule,” said Ruzungunde.
Legal sources said it was difficult to explain how the church leader had become free considering that he pleaded guilty to the crime and so could not have appealed.
Post published in: News