Medaldo Ruzungunde (47), who led the apostolic church based in Ivene, last year pleaded guilty to seriously assaulting fellow congregant, Elizabeth Doba. However, less than a week after having been slapped with an 18-month jail sentence, he was released from Hwahwa Prison at the behest of top Zanu (PF) officials who wanted to front him on party campaigns ahead of the next polls.
According to sources, Zanu (PF) wanted to use him to win over thousands of his apostolic sect followers.
During his lengthy sermon at the gathering attended by Governor Jaison Machaya and senior Zanu (PF) officials, Ruzungunde said Mugabe was a blameless leader.
The miscarriage of justice was exposed by The Zimbabwean when he appeared at Mugabe’s 89th birthday prayer meeting on February 21. Doba then launched a complaint before Attorney General Johanes Tomana who ordered the re-arrest of the prophet. When the case was brought before local Magistrate, Phatekile Msipa, she ruled that Ruzungunde should serve the previous sentence, while investigations were carried out into his initial release.
A fortnight ago Ruzungunde approached the High Court in Bulawayo seeking bail. However, the High Court has refused the application.
Post published in: News