Rapist Madzibaba Ishmael Freed – Eduzim News

By Crime and Courts Reporter-Apostolic sect leader Ishmael Chokurongerwa, popularly known as Madzibaba Ishmael, who was convicted of rape and sentenced to 20 years in prison, has been granted bail pending appeal by the High Court in a case that has drawn significant public attention and revived long-standing controversies surrounding the self-styled prophet.

High Court judge Justice Neville Wamambo ruled that Chokurongerwa’s appeal has prospects of success after identifying several contentious issues in the trial, including the absence of a direct rape complaint by the complainant, questions about the handling of DNA evidence, and disputes over the complainant’s age.

The court set bail at US$1 000, ordering the apostolic leader to reside at a specified address, report regularly to the police and attend court when required until his appeal is heard.

Chokurongerwa was initially arrested following allegations that he had sexually abused a teenage girl identified in court papers as P.T. Prosecutors charged him with three counts of rape, alleging that he had taken advantage of the complainant while she was still underage. The trial court later acquitted him on two counts but convicted him on one, leading to a 20-year prison sentence.

Following the conviction, Chokurongerwa filed a notice of appeal raising five grounds challenging the ruling. His lawyers argued that there were serious flaws in the handling of DNA samples, questioned the authenticity of the complainant’s birth certificate used to establish her age, and challenged the credibility of one of the State’s key witnesses. The State opposed the bail application, maintaining that the DNA evidence had been handled properly and that the birth certificate dispute did not invalidate the conviction.

In granting bail, Justice Wamambo noted that the case presented unusual circumstances because neither the complainant nor her guardian made a direct complaint of rape, and the complainant herself appeared to exonerate the accused during testimony. The judge also observed that although the complainant’s age had been contested, the trial magistrate relied on an age estimation report indicating that she was approximately 15 years old at the time of the alleged offence.

The High Court further pointed out that the complainant did not testify that she had consented to the sexual encounter, but at the same time did not provide explicit evidence of non-consent, an issue that the judge said raised questions that the appeal court would need to determine.

Justice Wamambo emphasised that once a person has been convicted, the presumption of innocence no longer applies, meaning the applicant must demonstrate why they deserve bail pending appeal. However, given the legal questions raised and the possibility that the conviction could be overturned, the court ruled that Chokurongerwa had shown sufficient grounds to be released while awaiting the outcome of his appeal.

Under the bail conditions, Chokurongerwa must deposit US$1 000 with the Clerk of Court at Harare Magistrates’ Court, live at a specified address, report regularly to the police and appear in court whenever required until the appeal process is finalised.

Chokurongerwa has for years been a controversial figure within Zimbabwe’s apostolic religious movement, where charismatic prophets often command significant influence over followers. Critics and former congregants have previously accused him of exploiting vulnerable believers, particularly women and young girls, under the guise of spiritual healing and prophetic counselling. His name has surfaced in several disputes and allegations involving sexual misconduct and the alleged abuse of religious authority, though not all of these claims have resulted in criminal convictions.

The case has also reignited broader concerns from child rights organisations and women’s rights groups about the vulnerability of young girls within some apostolic sects, where strict hierarchical structures and deep reverence for prophets can make it difficult for victims to challenge or report abuse. Advocacy groups have repeatedly called for stronger enforcement of child protection laws within religious communities, arguing that spiritual authority should never shield perpetrators from accountability.

Chokurongerwa now remains free on bail as he prepares to challenge his conviction in the High Court, with the outcome of the appeal expected to determine whether the 20-year prison sentence imposed by the lower court will stand or be overturned.

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