A SELF-PROCLAIMED Gweru “prophet” from the Johane Masowe sect released from Hwahwa Prison a week after being jailed for 18 months in October last year for assaulting a former congregant, has appealed to the Supreme Court against his reincarceration. Richard Muponde Senior Court Reporter
Madzibaba Medaldo Ruzungunde was released from prison after appealing against the sentence at the Bulawayo High Court.
But he was rearrested after complainant, Elizabeth Doba, protested against his release after seeing him at a Zanu PF rally in Gweru.
His lawyer Nqobizitha Ndlovu yesterday confirmed that his client had appealed to the Supreme Court against reincarceration.
“The matter is before the Supreme Court and is awaiting a hearing date,” he said.
A Gweru woman, Doba, lodged the complaint against Ruzungunde’s release with the chief registrar of the Supreme Court, Walter Chikwanha Ruzungunde had been imprisoned after he was convicted of assaulting Doba for threatening to spill the beans about his alleged wayward behaviour in July 2009 when she had gone to the church to collect her belongings.
An argument ensued, angering the prophet, who then assaulted Doba with fists and kicked her on the left side of the shoulder and head. She sustained permanent injuries and now walks with the aid of crutches.
In March this year, sister paper NewsDay carried a story where Ruzungunde showered praises on President Robert Mugabe at a mass prayer to honour the Zanu PF leader during his 89th birthday celebrations.
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This led to investigations, which revealed that the prophet had been released from jail under unclear circumstances.
Ruzungunde was picked up after a warrant of arrest was issued by a Gweru regional magistrate.
His appeal to the High Court has since been rendered unprocedural and was ordered to serve the 18-month jail term.
