One of the three members of the Johane Masowe Echishanu, accused of drowning six children during a baptism ceremony in Sadza, has approached the High Court seeking bail pending trial, arguing he is also a victim.
BY CHARLES LAITON
The 17-year-old form three student at Chimowa Secondary School filed an application for bail, arguing he did not commit the alleged offence, but had simply been invited to be baptised and have some evil spirits exorcised from him.
The teenager (name withheld), is being charged together with self-proclaimed prophet, Maud Dzvuke (31) and Jane Ruvinga (22).
Through his lawyers, Muringani Mandikumba and Partners, the teenager denied participating in the commission of the offence.
“He is the one who reported the incident to the police and has always co-operated with the police. He was also baptised and did not baptise anyone, hence, there is no reason for him to abscond or interfere with investigations.
He did not flee or try to interfere with the witnesses before he was arrested,” the lawyers said.
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“Accused denies he committed or assisted in the commission of the offence. He is not a member of that apostolic sect, but was invited to be baptised to remove evil spirits from him.”
According to State papers, on June 7, at about 6am, Dzvuke, Ruvinga and the teenager allegedly connived to take the children for cleansing in Mutorahuku Stream at Muriwo Village.
The State alleges, Dzvuke, a member of Johane Masowe Echishanu was leading the group and she took her four children Chido (11), Patience Pfumbidza (9), Shamiso Pfumbidza (4) and Mercy Pfumbidza (2), with her.
Ruvinga is also said to have taken with her, her two children Tafadzwa (5) and Tinotenda Dzvuke (3), but the teenager had no children.
Upon arrival at the stream, Dzvuke got into the water and baptised the children, starting with her own, and during the process, she submerged their heads in the water one at a time, pressing their foreheads and pushing their heads into the water.
It is alleged, the other two assisted by handing over the children to Dzvuke and when they were being submerged into the water, they lost consciousness, but Dzvuke continued unperturbed.
The State alleges of the eight children baptised, six died as a result of asphyxia due to drowning.
