APOSTOLIC sect leader Madzibaba Ishmael Chokurongerwa has Wednesday dismissed the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) results produced in court arguing that they are compromised.
Chokurongerwa was appearing before Harare magistrate Estere Chivasa, where he is being tried for allegedly raping and impregnating three minor girls at his shrine in Nyabira.
The DNA tests were conducted at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust), but Chokurongerwa is arguing the results were soiled and should not be tendered as court evidence.
Chokurongerwa said the DNA samples were supposed to be collected pursuant to an order issued by the High Court.
He submitted that the order was specific as to place and time of collection of samples and who could be present for the process.
Madzibaba Ishmael also submitted that all the processes were designed to safeguard the integrity of the samples thus collected and the process to follow.
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He further argued that the procedures outlined in the court order were not followed, making the integrity of the samples compromised while the outcome of the whole forensic process was placed into doubt and jeopardy.
“A tainted process cannot produce an untainted result. The DNA results are tainted and ought not to be admitted into evidence,” Chokurongerwa argued.
He also argued that he never raped or had sexual intercourse with the three complainants’ without their consent, adding that they did not voluntarily lodge any sexual complainants with the police.
Chivasa postponed the matter to January 16 next year for trial continuation.
It is the State’s case that Chokurongerwa was using his power as a church leader to rape and impregnate juveniles.
The three complainants were interviewed by the police, but they did not divulge who had raped them due to indoctrination.