Zimbabwe Apostolic Sect Leader Granted Bail Amid Child Abuse Allegations

Ishmael Chokurengerwa, the leader of the Johanne Masowe Penyera Nyika apostolic sect in Zimbabwe, has been granted US$1,000 bail by the High Court after being arrested for violating the Burial and Cremation Act and the Children's Act. Chokurengerwa and seven other members of the sect were accused of conducting funeral services without proper burial orders and neglecting, abandoning, and exposing 246 out of 251 children residing at the church's compound in Nyabira to abuse and poor living conditions.

The initial bail request was denied by a lower court, but Chokurengerwa successfully appealed the decision. As part of the bail conditions, he is prohibited from conducting church gatherings and must reside at his given address until the matter is finalized. The High Court also ordered Chokurengerwa to stop conducting church services and barred him from interfering with witnesses.

Why this matters: The case highlights the ongoing issue of child abuse and neglect within some religious sects in Zimbabwe. It also raises concerns about the lack of proper documentation and oversight of children living in isolated communities.

The charges against Chokurengerwa and his accomplices stem from a police investigation at his Nyabira farm, where authorities found that the majority of the children lacked birth certificates and were allegedly used as cheap labor under the guise of learning life skills. Additionally, 16 unregistered graves were discovered at Chokurengerwa's shrine, Canaan, including nine adults and seven infants, all buried without proper registration or burial orders.

Police suspect that Chokurengerwa was running his church like a commune, isolating his followers from the outside world and promoting the belief that the end of the world was near. Authorities continue to investigate the sect, with exhumations of two bodies already conducted to gather further evidence.

The trial for all eight individuals is scheduled to commence on May 7, 2024, at the Norton Magistrates' Court. Inspector Innocent Mhandu, the Officer in Charge of Nyabira Police Station, stated, "We are still investigating the case, and more charges are likely to be brought against the accused persons as we uncover more evidence."

Key Takeaways

• Cult leader Ishmael Chokurengerwa granted $1,000 bail after arrest for child abuse
• Chokurengerwa accused of conducting funerals without orders, neglecting 246 of 251 children
• Unregistered graves of 9 adults, 7 infants found at Chokurengerwa's shrine, Canaan
• Chokurengerwa barred from conducting church gatherings, must reside at given address
• Trial for Chokurengerwa and 7 others scheduled for May 7, 2024, more charges likely