HARARE – Two female members of an apostolic sect led by controversial cult leader, Ishmael Chokurongerwa on Thursday appeared in court facing trafficking charges.
This comes after they were caught harbouring nine females believed to be key witnesses in the case which landed their leader in jail recently.
The two are Danai Tigere, 56, and Veronica Chitanda, aged 40.
They appeared before Harare magistrate Donald Ndirowei and were not asked to plead.
The two were granted US$50 bail.
They were back in court on Friday for bail application in the other case.
State prosecutor Anesu Chirenje alleged that on March 13 this year, Chokurongerwa and seven accomplices were arrested by the police for contravening the Burial and Cremation Act and Children’s Act at Plot number 6 Lily Farm in Nyabira.
After that, on March 28, police received information that the two were hiding victims suspected to be from Chokurongerwa’s sect house number 40 Ngamera street, Mufakose Harare.
“On March 29 , at 3AM, a raid was conducted at Tigere’s residence where Previous Zogara, 20, Precious Tichaona, 20, Memory Matanga, 19, Rulendo Chimuti, 24, Vimbai Mufani, 21, Melody Chirinda, 20, Nomusa Tichaona, 18, and two minors were rescued by the police,” said the State prosecutor.
Upon being interviewed, the two failed to give a satisfactory answer as to why they were keeping the nine.
