Pastor Robert Martin Gumbura
Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
“THIS man sinned against God and was not fit to lead the congregation. He was a wolf instead of a shepherd amongst unsuspecting sheep. I am happy that the arm of the law caught up with him,” was the assessment of Blessing Kahuni.
This was in reference to Pastor Robert Martin Gumbura, the leader of RMG End Time Message church who was yesterday sentenced to 40 years in jail for raping some of his congregants.
Kahuni, along with a group of other people who said they attended the church, could not hide his displeasure with Gumbura’s behaviour, and his pleasure with the sentence.
Walking into the courtroom earlier, Gumbura had a noticeable spring in his step and a grin on his face. Seemingly calm, he nodded towards his 11 wives, apparently expecting a light sentence.
The smug look, however, faded as regional magistrate Mr Hoseah Mujaya told him he would spend the next 40 years behind bars.
For any person, that is a long sentence. But for a 57-year-old man, that can sound like eternity.
Gumbura was led out to spend four decades at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison in Harare, and his wives made a bee-line to the carpark.
They could not escape the large, curious crowd fast enough, and their cars were soon engulfed by a multitude that wanted to ask all manner of questions. The women kept a stony silence until they were able to drive through the sea of humanity.
It was a charged atmosphere, filled with tears, joy, jeering and anger.
Gumbura’s brother Wilson said the court erred in both conviction and sentence.
“These were false allegations and we are going to appeal against both the conviction and sentence,” he said.
For Tabeth Gamanya, this was a day of both pain and closure. She was almost in tears as she narrated how her niece was given to Gumbura as a “gift”.
“I need help to go and get this child because her father is not co-operating. I heard that she is staying with a man called ‘brother’ Chuma and this pains me.
“She was taken away when she was 16-years-old and her relatives are not allowed to see her. The sentence was trivial considering the pain he caused to the victims. He is not fit to be someone’s husband,” she said.
Later in the day, Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development Minister Oppah Muchinguri said she was happy with the sentence.
“This will send a strong message to would-be rapists. We cannot tolerate poeple who abuse their authority and abuse women.
“I want to urge poverty-stricken parents not to force their children into polygamous marriages. Churches should be a safe haven for worshippers and uphold christian values,” she said.
But Women of Zimbabwe Arise national co-ordinator Ms Jenny William said the sentence was “lenient”.
“It is sad that after so many years of independence, there are still men who objectify and abuse women. Although we feel the sentence did not meet the justice of the case, we are happy that at least justice has caught up with him. No one is above the law, people should know that.
“Gender-based violence is not negotiable. There must be much more to be done.”
Musasa Project director Ms Netty Musanhu weighed in saying: “He was a father figure who took advantage of women who looked up to him. What worries us is how a serial rapist and robber can be sentenced to 290 years while Gumbura got only 40.
“His moral blameworthiness is much higher … and the sentence should have reflected that.”
Former Women’s Affairs Deputy Minister Jessie Majome, who introduced a motion in Parliament for a mandatory sentence of 30 years for rapists, also said the sentence was “light”.
“We are happy he is behind bars but we are not happy with the sentence as it is not deterrent enough for would-be offenders.
“Rape calls for a life sentence and it is disappointing that aggravated indecent assault and robbery get more years compared to rape,” she said.