HARARE – Jailed RGM Independent End Time Message leader, Robert Martin Gumbura has succumbed to Covid-19.
Gumbura who was convicted in 2014 for rape died at Chikurubi Maximum Hospital from coronavirus related complications, the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Service (ZPCS) said in a statement.
“As ZPCS we would like to inform the nation that one of our longest serving inmates Martin Robert Gumbura has passed on this afternoon at Chikurubi Maximum Prison hospital.”
“He succumbed to Covid-19 complications. The next of kin has been advised,” said ZPCS spokesperson Meya Khanyezi in a statement on Saturday.
In 2014, Gumbura was jailed for effective 40 years following his conviction on four counts of rape and one count of illegally possessing pornographic material.
He later argued on appeal in August 2020 at High Court through his defence team comprising Professor Lovemore Madhuku and Advocate Sylvester Hashiti that the imprisonment term was patently disproportionate.
Gumbura’s sentence was reduced to 25 years, of which five years were suspended on condition of good behaviour by Justice Felistus Chatukuta and Justice Pisirayi Kwenda having both listened to submissions from both the defence and prosecution counsel.
The cleric became famous for having 25 wives and became the talk of the town during his trial period.
- More to follow
