Apostolic sect leader Ishmael Chokurongerwa was on Tuesday sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping a minor congregant.
In her judgment, Magistrate Estere Chivasa condemned the “heinous” abuse of power, ruling that Chokurongerwa had used the cover of religion to exploit vulnerable church members and had shown no remorse.
The magistrate also noted that Chokurongerwa has shown disregard for the law as he is not a first-time offender, having once served a five-year sentence for public violence.
He had been facing three counts of rape but was acquitted on two counts, with the court ruling that there was consent.
While the victims had claimed Chokurongerwa had not had any sexual relations with them, DNA results proved that he had fathered three children with the three minors rescued from his Nyabira compound.
