Conviction Christian institutions & contexts Other or denomination not established Nyabira, Zimbabwe · 2025

Zimbabwe: apostolic sect leader convicted of raping a minor congregant — conviction under appeal

Record class

Core record

Evidence status

Convicted

Authority role

leader of a Johane Masowe eChishanu apostolic sect at Lily Farm, Nyabira

Organization

Johane Masowe eChishanu (Lily Farm, Nyabira)

Spiritual nexus

A child of the sect under the man who led it.

Evidence structure

Proceedings

2025-12-01 · conviction on one count; appeal pending with bail granted

Harare magistrates' court (Magistrate Estere Chivasa); High Court of Zimbabwe (bail pending appeal). Ishmael Chokurongerwa, known as Madzibaba Ishmael, leader of a Johane Masowe eChishanu sect at Lily Farm in Nyabira, was convicted in December 2025 on one count of raping a minor congregant, with DNA-confirmed paternity, and acquitted on two further counts; he received twenty years. On 4 March 2026 the High Court granted him bail pending appeal, Justice Wamambo finding prospects of success on questions of DNA handling and the complainant's testimony.

Primary record

national newspaper court reporting verdict and sentencing report NewZimbabwe: report of the conviction and sentence.: National outlet's court report.
national newspaper court reporting appellate status report NewZimbabwe: High Court grants bail pending appeal.: Documents the appellate risk.

Related record